Talkback Spring 2012 - Corby Borough Council

CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Firstly, we would like to thank all our tenants who
pay their rent on time and either keep their rent
account clear or in credit, as we value you.
Before the last rent campaign of the financial year
we sent a letter to all our tenants who had a debt
on their rent account telling them to expect a visit,
phone call, email or text during the week of 5th March
2012. This gave the opportunity to clear the debt or
to get in touch with their Housing Officer to make an
arrangement and avoid being contacted during the
campaign. As a thank you all tenants with a clear or
credit balance were entered into a draw with a chance
to win one of three £50 shopping vouchers. Many
tenants did clear their debt or speak to us. However,
as on previous campaigns, those who still owed a
debt were contacted in one way or another by their
Housing Officer.
Landlord Services had set a challenging target to
reduce arrears to £200,000 by 31st March 2012. Halfway
through the year we still had an outstanding debt
of £249,336 and it seemed unlikely that it could be
achieved. However, with a lot of hard work and
commitment from both our staff and our tenants the
end of year figure was £202,848, less than £3,000 over
our target and a reduction of £20,349 on the arrears
from April 2011. At the end of March 2012 there were
3,723 rent accounts either clear or in credit, which
is more than three quarters of all tenants. These are
the accounts which have been entered into the prize
draw. We will announce the winners in the next issue
of talkback.
We understand that people’s circumstances change
and in the current economic climate you may be
struggling to pay your bills. Keeping the roof over
your head is always a priority and it does not help if
you put off contacting us. By talking to your Housing
Officer you will be given advice and help on dealing
with money problems and this will prevent arrears
increasing and reduce the risk of losing your home.
If we don’t know there is a problem, we cannot help.