Scottish Parliament agree it is important to continue to pay your rent...
Last updated: 2.49pm, Tuesday 26th May 2020
A recent vote in the Scottish Parliament confirmed how important it is that tenants continue to pay their rent.
The initial amendments were only intended to relate to Private Landlords but Social Landlords were included at the last minute.
These amendments would have introduced a two year freeze on rent and a payment holiday for those tenants who could not afford to pay their rent, during this time.
Parliament agreed that this could cause severe financial problems for Social Landlords and that this could force many to reduce the number of services they provide.
Social Landlords were then removed from these amendments.
A number of tenants have been getting in touch and asking if the Association is having a rent payment holiday – this question has been based on the fact that home-owners can request a mortgage holiday from their bank or mortgage provider. However, you should be aware the interest on a mortgage is still being charged during this holiday period. This means that the mortgage has increased and the home-owner will still owe more money after the mortgage holiday including the missed payments.
It’s important that tenants maintain rent payments if this is possible. If not, partial payment is better than none and will reduce the level of arrears owed post lockdown.
However, we do understand that some of our tenants may be having difficulties during this exceptional period. Please be assured that we are here to help. Since lockdown our Income Maximisation Team have helped many of you with all aspects of issues you may be facing including paying your rent, Universal Credit and other money advice. We are all working from home but please remember we are only a phone call away. We are here to listen and will try to help you in any way we can.
You can contact us on 0141 550 3581 option 2 then option 1 or email us on incomemaximisation@thenuehousing.co.uk
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