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Debt counselling service for Housing Executive tenants in Omagh

Debt counselling service for Housing Executive tenants in Omagh

The Housing Executive has announced that Omagh Independent Advice Services is now providing a debt counselling service to tenants. 

Commenting on this new local service agreement Housing Executive District Manager, Ivan Armstrong said:

“The Housing Executive is committed to reducing rent arrears and last year rent arrears for the District reduced by 10.5% to £248,000. The majority of our tenants pay their rent regularly and on time, but there is still a small number who struggle to pay their rent for a variety of reasons.

There are various methods of paying rent in the first instance, such as direct debit or by using the rent payment card.  The rent payment card can be used at the District Office or at post offices or paypoint outlets located throughout the District.

We understand how easy it is to slip into rent arrears and Housing Executive staff provide confidential help and advice to tenants. It is important that a tenant contacts us immediately they know they are going to have a problem in paying their rent. We encourage them to seek professional advice on what financial help is available.”

Being the only advice centre in the town, Omagh Independent Advice Services, located in the town centre, has been providing a debt counselling service to Housing Executive tenants.

“We are pleased to be able to access this service locally and are extremely impressed with their service which is professional, confidential and free. We are particularly impressed with the sensitivity shown towards some of our more vulnerable tenants,” added Mr Armstrong.

Omagh Independent Advice Services receives financial support from the Tudor Trust and Deti in establishing the Money Advice Service.

Money Advice Adviser of the Omagh Independent Advice Services, Michelle Loughran said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Housing Executive in trying to help tenants with their rent arrears.

We offer an independent, confidential and free service to the people of the Omagh District Council area.

A client may be struggling with paying rent but we encourage them to look at the bigger picture and help them focus on their household’s income and expenditure.  In some cases for example they may not be claiming all the benefits that they are entitled to.

We can even speak to the organisations that the debt is owed to and agree future payments that are affordable.”

Omagh Independent Advice Services is open from Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.  Telephone number is 028 8224 3252, email info@oias.co.uk

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