8.9.5  Rent and Service Charge Collection

The Authority is to recognise that rental and service charge collection will be the responsibility of the Contractor, and that such income forms a significant source of income for the Contractor within this Project.  The Contractor is required to undertake these activities in appropriate fashion that ensures equitability and reflects the nature of the occupants.

Whilst not seeking to be overly prescriptive, the Authority does require the Contractor to:

a)  Support a varied range of payment facilities to provide choice to residents;

b)  [Implement measures to ensure rents are maintained at an affordable level in line with Housing Corporation target rents]50;

c)  Manage service charges such that they are minimised, and that they are collected in a manner that does not place undue financial burden on occupants;

d)  Support residents in completing housing benefit or other benefits forms as appropriate; and

e)  Provide appropriate arrears counselling or basic financial advice as required on rent problems, personal debt problems and other financial matters.

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50  This to be reviewed in line with any subsequent HCA initiatives.