Tenants warned to make rent a priority (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Familes evicted for failing to pay rent

5:40pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

FOUR families were evicted last month after failing to pay their rent.

Halton Housing Trust warns that more tenants could lose their homes in 2013 if they continually fall behind with their bills.

Maureen Forshaw, the trust’s income maximisation manager, said: “The majority of our customers pay their rent on time or if they have arrears, they’ll do everything possible to set up a repayment plan.

“But there’s a small minority of customers who choose not to pay their rent. Eviction is a last resort, but people could unfortunately lose their homes if they fail to engage us with us to set up an agreement to reduce any outstanding arrears.”

In 2012, more than 1000 low income tenants received help to claim a wide range of benefits, ranging from job seekers allowance to pensions.

Many of these disabled, elderly and unemployed tenants are now, on average, £651 per year better off.

Maureen added: ““Some of our customers, and I say ‘some’, are paying off non priority debts such as loan repayments, mobile phone costs and Sky bills, before their rent.

“I urge all customers to think before they buy and make sure they have enough money left for their rent.”