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Legal action - What happens?

05/01/2011

Don't Ignore the Debt

Eviction can happen if you consistently fail to pay the rent we are entitled to receive or if you break repayment agreements with us. Eviction is always the last resort and there is a process involving legal action that we follow prior to reaching this stage.

  • Legal action commences with a Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP)
  • RHP always provides an office appointment (or home visit, if required) following the issue of a Notice of Seeking Possession. At this stage, you will be expected to apply for Housing Benefit, agree a repayment plan with us or seek financial advice.
  • If the arrears are not paid or if a repayment agreement is not kept up following the issue of a Notice of Seeking Possession, an application can be made to the County Court for a possession hearing.
  • If a possession order is granted by the County Court, it may be suspended with an order to maintain a repayment agreement.
  • If the terms of a suspended possession order are not kept up, RHP can apply for possession of your home which may result in eviction. If you end up losing your home as a result of eviction for rent arrears, it is unlikely the local authority will rehouse you as you will have made yourself 'intentionally homeless'.

We will always try to support customers with any difficulties they experience with the payment of their rent and avoid the risk of losing their home. If you are experiencing problems with your rent payments, you can contact our Rent Income and Arrears Team by:

  • Visiting the team at Waldegrave Road (9.00am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 5.00pm Friday)
  • Contacting the team by phone on 0800 0322 433 (Monday from 9.00am to 5.15pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8.00am to 6.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm)
  • E-mailing rhprents@rhp.org.uk
  • Writing to the Rent Income and Arrears Team, Richmond Housing Partnership, 8 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8GT 
  • Visiting the team at one of our rent surgeries.
  • We provide regular rent surgeries at our offices based in Ham and Butts Farm. We also provide quarterly rent surgeries at our retirement housing schemes. We can offer to visit you at home if this is more convenient.