TENANCY AGREEMENT RENT, RATES AND HOUSING BENEFIT:

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Your rent and rates is payable weekly, fortnightly or monthly in one of the following ways.

Payment by Cash:
You may pay by cash at any Post Office by use of a GHA rent book which can be obtained upon request from our office. The Post Office cashier will stamp your payment slip and counterfoil which is your proof of payment. You are advised to retain all counterfoils in the event over a dispute over your rent account. If you loose or mislay your rent book or if there are any other reasons why you can not pay at the Post Office you are advised to contact your Housing Officer at our office, immediately to avoid unnecessary arrears recovery action by GHA staff.

Payment by Standing Order:
You may pay by standing order through the bank. The necessary forms and details are available at the Associations office. By using this method payments will be made automatically on your behalf by your bank.

Please Note:- GHA recommend that you notify the Housing Officer in advance of using this method of payment as confusion can arise over amounts due on a monthly basis (52 weeks in a financial year) and the need to identify the correct payee when the association receives cash from tenants on its bank statement.

Payment by Housing Benefit:
Housing Benefit is processed and paid by the NIHE and is ‘Means Tested’. GHA staff can offer advice and information on procedures in the completion of Housing Benefit application forms, which are available at our office. It is recommended that all tenants apply for Housing Benefit.
GHA tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit have their rent and rates reduced, with many tenants having little or nothing to pay.
It is recommended that tenants give permission to the NIHE to pay Housing Benefit direct to the Association so that any changes or alterations can be pursued by GHA staff on your behalf and save you the need.

Rent Arrears:
Despite the availability of Housing Benefit some tenants still fall behind with their rent payments, If you get into rent arrears, you should arrange to meet your Housing officer to discuss the matter fully. Where it is not possible to pay the full amount overdue, you can enter into an agreement to repay your arrears in regular instalments along with your current liability. If no attempt is made to repay arrears, or if the agreement is broken, GHA will engage their arrears recovery action.

GHA advise that you should always communicate with GHA staff to resolve all arrears matters which are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner. If you are in arrears and do not make an arrangement to repay, you may not be able to transfer, you may not be able to exercise your right to buy, and your dwelling may be excluded from modernisation or major repair schemes.

Furthermore, the costs of taking a case to court will be added to your overall debt.
GHA can recover the debt owed by the following methods:-
a) Proceedings can be initiated to recover the debt through the Courts. If the arrears are not paid the Association can obtain a Court Order which may be enforced by the Enforcement of Judgements Office, requiring your employer to deduct rent payments from your earnings.
b) Direct deductions can be made from your Social Security Benefits, or your salary if you work for a Public Authority.
c) As a last resort, the Association will initiate legal proceedings for the possession of the dwelling. This may result in eviction.

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