Debt and welfare advice

Our housing team is now regularly holding drop-in advice surgeries at Morland Mews or will be visiting other properties so can drop in to help you with any tenancy queries.

They will also be doing Staying Connected visits to check we have up to date information on your tenancies.

You will get a letter from housing officer Nicky before any visits to your immediate neighbourhood. But please feel free to contact us ahead if you want to make an appointment in your own home or at our Morland Mews office for advice with rent, money matters or more.

Advice and support sessions

Coming up in October and November, we will be at:

Morland Mews offering our twice weekly drop-in sessions from 10am to 12 noon on Friday 25 October, and every Friday in November (1, 8, 15, 22 and 29)
Belitha Villas between 10am and 12pm, on the ground floor, on Wednesday 30 October
Beech Tree Close and Barnsbury Park, between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday 6 November
Claringbull Court and Eden Grove, between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday 13 November
Liverpool Road, between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday 20 November
Milner Square, between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Look out for more dates in the new year.

Rent arrears

If you’re having trouble paying your rent, please get in touch with us straight away. We’d much rather talk to you about the problem than let things get worse.

We’ll see how we can support you to pay your rent and any arrears and will agree a way you can clear the debt by paying a realistic amount within a reasonable period of time.

If we’re unable to contact you or you don’t respond to letters about the rent you owe, or don’t keep to a payment agreement, we’ll take legal action to recover the money you owe. This could result in you losing your home.

If you owe rent and don’t stick to an agreement to repay this, you will no longer be eligible to rent a parking space, garage or shed from us.

Money advice and support with benefits

BHA offer a free, confidential service to give you advice about managing your money, avoiding arrears, dealing with debt and information about the benefits you may be able to claim. Contact us to find out more about this service and how we can help you.

The following organisations can also offer help and support:

National Debt Line: 0808 808 4000
Islington Foodbank: 07753 222 775, info@islington.foodbank.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0300 330 1197
Help on your Doorstep: 020 3931 6080

If you’re on welfare benefits, you may be eligible to apply for a budgeting loan to help buy furniture and white goods (such as a fridge, freezer or washing machine) or help with moving costs. This is an interest free loan. You can apply online at: www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/how-to-claim or visit your nearest JobCentre Plus.

Please contact us if you are having money worries and we will try to help in any way we can.

Free water-saving gadgets

Thames Water offer free devices that can help you save water, energy and money at home.

It can also offer discounted rates if you or someone in your household fits certain criteria.

You can enjoy lower energy bills from heating less water, and metered customers can save on their water bills too.

From shower-heads, to save-a-flush devices and inserts for your taps, there are lots to choose from. They’re really simple, easy to fit and they’re completely free for residential supply customers.

Find out more

If you are worried about debts, you can contact:

Islington Council Benefits and money advice: 020 7527 8222, heretohelp@islington.gov.uk ,www.islington.gov.uk/costofliving
Shine London Energy advice service and fuel poverty referral network: 0300 555 0195, shine@islington.gov.uk, www.shine-london.org.uk
Islington People’s Rights Free welfare benefits and debt advice: 020 7561 3685, info@ipradvice.org.uk, www.ipradvice.org.uk
Islington Law Centre Legal advice on benefits, debt, housing, immigration and more: 020 7288 7630, info@islingtonlaw.org.uk, www.islingtonlaw.org.uk