Arrears and evictions
Payment difficulties
The Council understands the problems of trying to manage a household on a limited budget, so they can help you sort things out if you fall into payment difficulties. You don't have to pay off what you owe at once. Council staff will work out a payment plan for you to reduce the arrears in regular instalments you can afford. But it's best to act sooner rather than later. If you don't tell us you've got a problem, or don't keep to an agreement to pay off your debt, we'll take legal action.
Rent Recovery staff will offer assistance to tenants who have an arrears problem. There are a number of actions that tenants can take to prevent their arrears problem spiralling out of control:
advise rent staff in advance if you have a problem - do not wait until you receive an arrears letter
do not ignore letters you receive about your rent account - talk to staff who will help to resolve the problem
make an agreement with the Rent Recovery Team to pay what you are able to reduce your arrears and keep to it. The Rent Recovery Team will assist you in calculating a reasonable recovery agreement.
Take these steps and you can avoid court action and the possibility of losing your home.
Contact Us
For assistance with any rent problems you should contact 0141 577 8668 or e-mail rents@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
We understand that there is a difference between wilfully not paying rent and finding it hard financially to pay rent, we can help you if you tell us you are having problems.
The Money Advice Team offers free, confidential, professional and practical advice on money matters. You can visit them at
Council Buildings
211 Main Street
Barrhead
G78 1SY
Telephone 0141 577 8420.
Persistent arrears
If you continue to have rent arrears and do not keep to payments arranged with the Rent Recovery Team, the Council will take action against you. This could lead to legal action that may mean you could lose your home.
In some cases, tenants who do not pay their rent and are evicted, could be considered as becoming intentionally homeless. In short this means that the Council may not have to re-house you.
Legal Action
Legal action will include raising court actions to recover both debt and the property. It is emphasised that this type of action will always be an action of last resort.
Prior to consideration of eviction action, all other appropriate remedies will be considered by the council.
In no cases will eviction be considered unless both arrears exist and it is considered reasonable to seek eviction.
Before the council can raise court action to recover possession, a notice must be served. This notice is called a Notice of Proceedings. This will only be served if the tenant fails to make an arrangement based on the tenant's ability to pay, or fails unreasonably to keep to the agreed arrangement.
Contact us at any time by phone on 141 577 8668 or come and visit us at Barrhead Main Street or Eastwood Park and we will help set up a recovery agreement.