Rent Management

   Rent Difficulties
   How To Pay Rent
   Housing Benefit
   Saving Money
   Contents Insurance
   Credit Unions
   Rent Review

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www.citysave.org.uk

www.blackpear.org.uk

RENT MANAGEMENT

SAVING MONEY

A number of companies and initiatives have been set up to help you save money and enable your money to go further. The following areas are some ideas for helping you in this respect.

Credit Unions

Credit Unions are like community banks. When you join you become a member and if you save regularly low cost loans are available to you. Credit Unions are an easy way to save and offer a wide range of other financial services. These credit unions are not for profit organisations and two such unions covering the Birmingham and Worcestershire areas have formed a partnership with Waterloo Housing Association to help residents with their financial needs. Interest rates on loans are very competitive compared to banks and building societies. You will also benefit from free life cover on all savings and loans. As a member of such a union you can also be paid an annual dividend.

For more information for look at our Credit Unions page.

Money Advice

nationaldebtline.co.uk

www.dwp.gov.uk

www.bankingcode.org.uk

Energy Watch

If you are experiencing financial difficulties the Association has formed a partnership with Birmingham Settlement who are able to offer you free advice in confidence. Birmingham Settlement can:

• Prepare repayment schedules
• Negotiate priority debts
• Give guidance on budgeting and alternative sources of credit
• Assist in claiming unclaimed benefit or allowances
• Make an application to Charitable Trusts

You may contact Birmingham Settlement directly at Reynolds House Annex, Newbury Road, Newtown, Birmingham B19 2RH. Telephone number: 0121 250 3000. National Debt Line also provides a free confidential and independent helpline. Telephone number: 0808 808 4000 or visit www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.

Benefit checks

To ensure you are in receipt of all benefits you are entitled to details of benefits can be found at local Benefit offices or on the Department of Works and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk. Alternatively contact your housing officer who can give you advice and estimate your likely entitlement to various state benefits.

Basic Bank Accounts

A basic bank account helps you manage your money and it can save you money too. A basic bank account allows you to receive money and pay bills.

Waterloo have been working with Barclays bank to make setting up a bank account for our tenants simple. There is even no need to go along to the bank to do it, your housing officer can sort it out for you. To find out more about Barclays Cash Card account either call your housing officer or visit the Barclays web site for more information.

You should be able to open a basic bank account no matter what your credit history. Basic bank accounts are available from Barclays and most other high sreet banks and buiding societies.

With a basic bank account you can:

• pay in cheques for free
• take money out at cash machines with a cash card
• pay bills by direct debit or standing order

By staying in credit a basic bank account will not charge you any fees. To open an account you will need some form of ID and proof of your address

Switching To Cheaper Gas/ Electricity Suppliers

It is worth considering whether you could obtain your gas and electricity from a cheaper supplier. You can use an internet price comparison service to compare the different offerings from domestic electricity and gas suppliers, and to find out how much you could save by switching to a new supplier. Energywatch has a voluntary code of practice for internet price comparison sites to adhere to, to ensure that consumers consistently get accurate and uniform results from the services. Sites that comply, become acredited and are listed on the Energywatch web site.

Saving Energy

Central Heating
Set your thermostat at the lowest level you feel comfortable on. By turning the thermostat down by one degree you can save up to 10% of fuel bills. Use your time control to reduce the time the boiler is in use. Most people do not need the heating on overnight. Turn the heating down to a minimum in unused rooms.

Hot Water
If you have a hot water cylinder set your thermostat to about 60 degrees which is fine for bathing and washing. You can save around £15.00 per year just by making sure you always us a plug and don't leave taps running.

Curtains
You can save around £15.00 per year by drawing your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping. Heavy lined curtains can help insulate your room. Make sure the curtains don't hang over the radiators.

Lights
Switch off lights when you leave the room

Televisions
Leaving a television on standby uses as much electricity as leaving it on. Turn it off to save electricity.

Fridges
Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running efficiently. Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary and avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge. Let it cool down first.

Washing Machines
Use a full load if possible. Wash at a low temperature most powders work very well at lower temperatures.

Cooking
Choose the right size cooking pan for the food and cooker and keep lids on when cooking. The base should just cover an electric cooking ring. With gas you need to ensure that the flames only heat the bottom of the pan. If they are coming up the side of the pan then you are wasting heat. Don't use more water than you need. Not only does this waste energy it also spoils the food.

Kettle
Don't over fill the kettle for just one drink heat the amount of water you really need. If you are using an electric kettle make sure you cover the elements. Jug type kettles need less water as they have smaller elements.

Light Bulbs
If you use a light for an average of four hours per day fit an energy saving bulb. It will cost more than a normal bulb but lasts around eight times longer and uses less electricity. You can save about £10.00 per year. We now install these bulbs to all communal and external areas. If you would like energy saving light bulbs please ask your housing officer.

Draft Proofing
Fitting extra draught proofing to doors can save money. But don't go overboard. If you seal all draughts you will not have enough ventilation and your home will become stuffy and more prone to condensation.

For More Advice
Telephone 08457 277 200 for a free DIY Home Energy Check or 0800 022220 for energy efficiency advice. Fill in the questionnaire, post it back, and they will send you a guide for energy efficiency products you should consider for your home.

And don't forget to save water as well!
Each person needs about 10 litres of water a day to survive - about one large bucketful. The average person uses about 140 litres or 14 buckets a day. Without making your life difficult you can save water. If you have a water meter this will also help you control the bills.

Use a shower
If you have a shower fitted you can have about three showers for the price of one bath.

Stop dripping taps
Don't just leave taps to drip. Changing the washer will save a lot of water.

Water your garden carefully
Use a watering can if possible as this saves lots of water. It can also be more efficient if you direct the water to the roots of your plants. Always water in the cool of the evening otherwise most of the water will just evaporate in the sun. If you can use washing up water on the garden. As long as it is not greasy the washing up liquid will actually help control greenfly and other pests.

Finance for Heating
If you are aged 60 and over you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. This is not a means test benefit and you should receive payment automatically before Christmas each year but some people may need to claim. Telephone 0845 9151515

If you are in receipt of Income Support or another income related benefit you may receive a Cold Weather Payment. This payment helps towards extra heating costs when the weather is cold in your area. Payment will be made automatically when the average temperature is 0° or below over seven days in a row in your local postcode area. Your local social security office should advise you if payment is on the way.

Also designed for over 60s is a scheme called Staywarm. This scheme enables you to use however much gas or electricity you need at a fixed low price. This fixed sum is based on the number of people who live in your home and the number of bedrooms it has.
Further information can be obtained by telephoning Staywarm on 0800 1694 694