Simple Housing Income Policy (Multiple Languages)

Housing Income Policy – Easy Read

This guide is from Beacon Cymru Group. It explains:

• What rent is and how to pay it
• How Beacon helps if you’re having trouble paying rent
• What happens if rent isn’t paid
• How Beacon tries to prevent eviction

Purpose of the Policy

This policy shows how Beacon:

• Helps you understand your rent and charges
• Helps you pay your rent on time
• Supports you if you have money problems
• Beacon wants to make sure you feel supported, informed, and treated fairly.

What Residents Care About

Residents say it’s important that Beacon:

• Explains rent clearly
• Contacts you in your preferred way
• Tells you about available support
• Listens and understands
• Treats everyone with kindness and respect

These values guide our work.

Paying Your Rent

When you move in:

• You are responsible for paying rent and service charges
• We agree on a payment plan with you

A payment plan tells you:

• How much to pay
• When to pay
• How to pay

You can pay rent through:

• Direct debit
• Standing order
• Debit or credit card
• Allpay card
• Pay-by-link
• Cash or cheque (in limited cases)

We’ll help you find the best payment method.

First Rent Payment

Your first rent payment:

• Is due on the start date of your contract
• Must be paid immediately

If you get Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, or Homeless Prevention funding, we may ask you to use this for your first rent.

Help with Money Problems

If you have trouble paying rent:

• We will listen to you
• Treat you with understanding
• Help make a new payment plan
• Refer you to support services if needed

Support could include:

• Benefits checks
• Welfare advice
• Tenancy support
• Help with hardship or food

Tell us quickly if:

• Your income changes
• You lose your job
• Your benefits change
• Someone moves in or out of your home

Telling us early prevents bigger issues.

Joint Tenancies

If you share a tenancy:

• Everyone named is responsible for the rent
• Beacon can collect rent from any or all contract holders

To leave a joint contract:

• Tell Beacon in writing
• You remain responsible until agreed and confirmed

Monitoring Rent Accounts

Beacon checks rent accounts often. If a payment is:

• Missed
• Late
• Less than agreed

We will contact you to:

• Understand what happened
• Offer help
• Update your payment plan

Our goal is to prevent missed payments and debt.

If Rent Is Not Paid

If rent goes unpaid and no agreement is made, we will:

• Contact you through letters, calls, or in person about the outstanding rent

If arrears continue:

• We may take legal action, including court

Beacon will:

• Follow legal steps
• Use eviction as a last resort
• Keep offering support

Eviction (Last Resort)

Eviction happens only when:

• Rent hasn’t been paid for a long time
• Support and plans haven’t worked

Before eviction:

• Senior staff must agree
• You will be informed
• You should get independent advice

All evictions are closely monitored.

Equality and Fairness

Beacon treats everyone equally. We don’t discriminate based on:

• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Marriage or civil partnership

We aim to remove barriers and meet different needs.

Protecting Your Information

We keep your personal information safe. We will:

• Only use necessary information
• Store it securely
• Follow data protection laws

Welsh Language

You can talk to us in Welsh or English. Let us know your preference.

Complaints and Concerns

If you’re unhappy with:

• How your rent is managed
• Any decision made by Beacon

You can:

• Contact Beacon to discuss it
• Make a complaint through our Complaints Policy

We will listen and respond fairly.

Need Help? If you need clarification on any part of this document, our team can explain it. Contact us at 01792 479200 or [email protected]