Housing advice during Covid-19

For many people their right to live in their own home goes along with a responsibility to make all relevant payments to a landlord (by way of rent) or a lender (in respect of mortgage repayments). 

What may seem like a (possibly just about) manageable amount to pay in good times can quickly become unmanageable and frightening when rapid, unplanned changes lead to reduced income.  Although these are challenging circumstances, help is available from different services covering issues likely to relevant, including:

Issues affecting both tenants and mortgage holders:

• reviewing the household budget to establish how income is spent and how it could or should be spent;
• looking at the whole picture and how to prioritise debts and spending;
• getting a benefit check to make all relevant benefits are in payment at the right amount and identifying those for new claims;
• developing a manageable budget including (re)payment plan;
• assisting/guiding in communication and negotiation with lenders and creditors;
• making claims on any relevant insurance policies;
• assisting with the urgent emergency as it occurs;
• looking at housing options and interaction with benefits;
• identifying special legislative provision arising from Covid-19 which enhances individual protection such as extension of time periods for giving of notice to tenants and moratium.

Tenants in Scotland

• gaining advice and support through repossession and eviction processes;
• helping to understand letters, contracts and other documents;
• awareness of relevant legislation including temporary changes that extend most periods of notice to be given to the tenant during the Covid 19 emergency;
• assessment of reasons for a fair end of tenancy;
• representation in Housing Tribunal or Sheriffs Court.

Mortgage payers in Scotland

• requesting a mortgage payment holiday (usually a voluntary arrangement of up to 3 months with those mortgage arrears accrued during the holiday repaid at a later date) and checking if any impact on credit history;
• accessing Support for Mortgage Interest (a loan to help pay mortgage interest if you have been claiming income related jobseekers,income based  employment and support allowance or  income support for at least 39 weeks or universal credit after 9 payments.  Also accessible for those on pension credit from first day of claim.
• considering a formal debt management approach (specialist service) or revision to existing agreements where these exist;
• seek money and/or financial advice – especially urgent if repossession process threatened/started.

If you are struggling to deal with issues like these, seek help straight away.

Granton Information Centre offers free, professional, independent advice. To find out about how Granton Information Centre can help you, telephone 0131 551 2459, 0131 552 0458 or email info@gic.org.uk