Angus bucks trend as rent arrears fall despite welfare changes

Angus Housing Association has reported record low rent arrears of 1.01% for the last financial year.

The association said this bucks the trend for most Scottish landlords as rent arrears have generally increased.

The Arbroath and Dundeebased firm allowed for an arrears increase of £200,000 last year as Universal Credit (UC) and other welfare reforms were introduced.

Of its 1,800 tenants, the number owing more than £750 has reduced from 24 in 2016 to 14 this year.

Director Bruce Forbes said the reduction was due to a “different approach” before UC was rolled out.

“As soon as we see the symptoms of someone struggling with their finances by missing payments or paying erratically, we quickly involve specialist staff to give them benefits and other advice,” he said.

“If tenants start dealing with debts while they still feel they are manageable, there is much more chance of success in getting them back on track. “Early intervention is the key. “Another factor has been encouraging tenants to think ahead about what they might have to deal with if they go on to UC.

“We know that our tenants who have already moved over to UC can wait nearly two months before they get any help with their rent payments.

“We are asking all tenants to plan for this possibility by paying a little extra every month to at least have their rent account clear by the due date on the first of each month.

“We also achieved this record low rent arrears performance without having to evict a single tenant in 2016-17 which is the most important statistic of all.”