If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter in another language
or format, such as larger print, Braille or CD, please contact us on
01248 752171 and we will endeavour to comply with your request.
As household finances are being squeezed left, right and
centre, remember that paying your rent is a priority if you
want to make sure that you keep the roof over your head.
IT’S YOUR HOME : DON’T LOSE IT.
1
HOUSINg SERvICES TENaNCY SUppORT
gOINg IT aLONE - NEw aND avaILaBLE NOw!
In our last newsletter we told you about our tenancy support service; what support
is available to maintain your tenancy and who is eligible for the support.
If you are struggling to maintain your tenancy and are experiencing problems such as difficulties paying your
bills, furnishing your home or accessing welfare benefits please contact Customer Services who will
arrange for your Housing Officer to contact you directly.
THIS SERvICE IS FREE OF CHaRgE
TELEpHONE 01248 752200 aND aSK FOR TENaNCY SUppORT
(to receive a copy of our tenancy support leaflet please contact Customer Services on 01248 752200)
Do you or your children have an android, blackberry or i-phone?
If yes download our new going it alone app now!
2
CREDIT UNION
Credit Unions are community organisations run by and for their members. There are several key features of a credit union:
People who save or borrow through one must have a common bond. That means they may live in the same
area, work for the same employer or have the same profession. They can also be members of the same
church or trade union.
They are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which means they have to abide by certain rules and, if you have savings with them, your money is protected
up to a limit of £85,000 should the credit union fail. They are run on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Instead of
paying a profit to shareholders, they use money they make to reward their members and improve their
services.
They can be large or small; some have thousands of members while others are much smaller.
Credit unions operate with three main aims, these are: to encourage all members to save regularly, to provide loans at low rates, to help members in need of financial advice and assistance.
CREDIT UNIONS OFFER BaNK aCCOUNTS, SavINg aCCOUNTS aND LOaNS.
» Most credit unions will charge you an average of 1% interest a month as you pay off the loan. Some will charge less, others will charge more, although by law
they can’t charge more than 2% a month (or 26.8% APR).
» There are no hidden charges with credit union loans and no penalties if you repay the loan early. As with any lender,
you will be expected to repay your loan as agreed.
» Credit unions also include free life insurance at no extra cost – so if you die before repaying the loan,
the balance would be paid off for you. » Most credit unions can lend for up to five years on
an unsecured loan and up to ten years on a secured loan (where they will lend against something like your
property or car). However some can lend for up to 25 years on a secured basis.
You will need to be a member of a credit union before you can get a loan from them and some will require you to build up some savings first.
CREDIT UNION RENT aCCOUNTS
Credit Union Rent Accounts are specific accounts available to Credit Union members that help facilitate budgeting and the payment of rent. The purpose of the account is to set aside money to pay the rent, and ensure it does not get used on other
expenses. This supports people who may have difficulty budgeting for rent.
Note: At present tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit have their rent paid direct to the Council. When Universal Credit is introduced in October 2013 tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit will have the money paid into their bank account and will
be expected to pay their own rent.
For information on Credit Unions and products available contact 033 2000 601 or visit one of the collection points below:
Location Opening times
Post Office, Brynsiencyn Monday 10am – 12 noon Communities First Building, Llangefni Monday 10am – 12 noon Newry Communty Centre Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm London Road Community Centre Thursday 10am – 12noon Gwelfor Community Centre, Holyhead Monday 10am – 12 noon
3
BaSIC BaNK aCCOUNTS
Basic bank accounts are the simplest type of bank account. They are designed for people who don’t want an overdraft, or can’t have one. They can be useful if you have a low credit score, need a way to receive benefit
payments, want the benefits of being able to pay by direct debit or just want to control your spending. You need to be at least 16 to open a basic bank account, although at some banks the minimum age is 18.
Basic bank accounts are very simple, so they don’t provide a cheque book or overdraft. With most accounts, you can:
have wages, salary, benefits, pensions and tax credits paid straight into your account
pay cheques in for free (as long as they’re not in foreign currency) – you’ll be able to spend the money after
four working days
get money out at Post Offices and cash machines pay your bills by Direct Debit or standing order, and use bank counters to pay money in, take it out or
check your account balance
Some accounts will also give you a debit card.
If you do not have a bank account, why not open one today? Take a look at what your local banking branch has to offer.
MONEY TRaININg
The Tenant Participation team are offering all new and existing tenants, including those in temporary accomodation, the opportunity to receive free “Money” training.
Income: Where does it come from and how can we maximise income?
Debt: Causes of debt and sources of support/advice.
Budgeting & Saving: How to keep a budget and ways of saving.
Information session – information and advice from a variety of professionals.
Credit: How much does credit cost and what are the alternatives?
The training is a ten week programme and all tenants who complete the course will receive £20 credited onto their rent account.
If you are interested please contact the Tenant Participation team on 01248 752171 for more information.
In the future all new applicants will be required to complete the above course before being offered a tenancy.
USEFUL wEBSITES
www.citizensadvice.org.uk www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
www.angleseyhousing.co.uk www.moneysavingexpert.com
4
waYS TO paY YOUR RENT
1. By swipe card at any post office or paypoint machine which can be found at many convenience stores.
2. By direct debit (see below).
3. By debit or credit card by telephoning the rent section on 01248 752178. 4. By using the online service at www.anglesey.gov.uk/housing and following the
on screen instructions.
paYINg YOUR RENT BY DIRECT DEBIT
RENT STaTEMENTS
Paying your rent by direct debit is one of the easiest ways to pay your rent.
Did you know we now offer 2 dates to pay your rent which means you can chose a date which suits you best? If you would like to set up a direct debit payment please complete the mandate
enclosed and return it using the freepost code:
FREEPOST RRYZ KAHH KCKA, Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn/ Anglesey County Council, Gwasanaethau Tai/ Housing Services, Swyddfa’r Sir/ County Offices, Llangefni, Ynys Môn, LL77 7TW.
If you would like to discuss setting up a direct debit or help filling in the mandate form please contact the rent section on 01248 752178.
Advantages of setting up a direct debit:
You do not need to worry about paying your rent. Once you have set up your direct debit your rent will be taken out of your bank account on a set time every month.
We are now entering all tenants paying by direct debit into a prize draw for the chance to win £100 every quarter. All you need to do then is ensure there is enough money in the account on the payment dates.
In March 2013 Housing Services sent all tenants their rent statement detailing payments for the last three months. Tenants will now receive these statements every quarter. Viewing your rent statement regularly can keep you
informed and up-to-date on your rent balance which will help you to manage your account more effectively. What do the rent statements look like?
week No. Date Charges Benefits adjustments payments Balance
45 04/02/2013 61.83 61.83 0 0 0 cr
46 11/02/2013 61.83 53.18 0 0 8.65 arr
47 18/02/2013 61.83 53.18 0 25.95 17.3- cr
Charges can include; your rent, home insurance, garage rent and any court charges where
applicable.
Housing Benefit you
receive.
This is when money is moved from one account to another – for example, home insurance is taken out and moved to your
insurance account.
The money you have paid
towards your charges.
Your balance at the end of the quarter.
CR = In credit ARR = you are in arrears.
5
We told you in recent newsletters (July and December 2012) that benefit changes are coming and who to contact if you are worried. To receive a copy of the newsletters please contact the Tenant Participation team on 01248 752171. IN THESE DIFFICULT FINaNCIaL TIMES IT IS IMpORTaNT THaT YOU CHECK THaT YOU
aRE RECEIvINg aLL THE BENEFITS YOU aRE ENTITLED TO.
You can do this by contacting the J E O Toole Centre who provide free and confidential advice on benefits; 01407 760208 / cathp@anglesey.gov.uk The Centre can also help you with filling in benefit claim forms, give advice on how to write a
CV and provide free access to a computer and the internet.
The Citizens Advice Bureau is also available to provide support and advice if you
are worried about the benefit changes including debt advice: 0845 120 3708.
HOUSE CONTENTS INSURaNCE
Did you know that as part of your tenancy agreement you are required to take out your own household contents insurance?
“What is your worst nightmare? Mine was coming home and finding my home ruined by water. It was Christmas and all the grandchildren’s presents were
under the Christmas tree. Everything was ruined! The presents, my furniture and my home. I wasn’t insured and I couldn’t afford to replace anything in time for Christmas and I still can’t. If you haven’t got house contents insurance my advice is
GET SOME! For as little as £1.32 a week I would have been able to put everything right and sleep easier at night. You don’t think things like this could happen to
someone like you, but they do. Don’t make my mistake; it will take me a very long time to get my home up to the standard it was before. I am still living my nightmare. “
Jean Owen, Tenant Aberffraw.
To apply for house contents insurance contact the rent section on 01248 752178.
3 shops listed below aim to help families in the area furnish their homes for less.
NaME
aDDRESS
TELEpHONE
NUMBER
OpENINg TIMES
Future for Furniture, Llangefni 37 Church Street, Llangefni, Anglesey(behind Jewsons) 01248 724433 Monday to Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 1:30pm Antur Waunfawr,
Caernarfon Bryn Pistyll. Caernarfon. Gwynedd. LL55 4BJ. 01286 674155
Opening Times : Mon - Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 10am-1pm Enterprise Recycling, Bangor*ALSO OFFER WHITE GOODS SUCH AS WASHING MACHINES. Caernarfon Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2YB 01248 355112
Opening Times : Mon - Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 10am-1pm
*all of the above welcome unwanted furniture; if you have furniture you no longer need/want contact the teams to arrange a free collection.
For low cost furniture you may also use the following websites: Facebook (for sale or swap groups set-up for local areas) Anglesey freecycle http://groups.freecycle.org/AngleseyWalesFreecycle
Both sites offer you the opportunity to advertise you own furniture, browse for new furniture or advertise for wanted furniture.
6
Are you lookIng For loW CoST HouSeHolD FurnITure?
CAn’T uSe A CompuTer or THe InTerneT?
CAN’T use a computer or the internet? We can help!Contact the Tenant Participation team today and they will be able to give you information about our ten week FREE computer training programmes which includes
7
noT onlIne?
As part of Universal Credit the Government are expecting 80% of Benefit claims to be made online. Did you know that as an Isle of anglesey resident you have
Free access to the computers and internet at any of our libraries?
Joining the library is FREE. All you need is one form of identification which includes your current address. Amlwch library Tuesday 9.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 5pm wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm Thursday 9.30am - 7pm Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 2.30pm
menai Bridge library Tuesday 12.30pm - 6pm wednesday 10am - 12.30pm Thursday 2pm - 7pm Friday 1pm - 5pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm Cemaes library Monday 2pm - 6pm wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm Friday 2pm - 6pm Beaumaris library Monday 4pm - 7pm wednesday 10am - 1pm Thursday 10am - 1pm Friday 10am - 1pm 2pm - 5pm Saturday 10am - 12pm Holyhead library Monday 9.30am - 6pm Tuesday 9.30am - 6pm wednesday 9.30am - 1pm Thursday 9.30am - 6pm Friday 9.30am - 6pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm moelfre library Monday 1.30pm - 5.30pm wednesday 10am - 1pm Friday 1.30pm - 5.30pm Benllech library Monday 5pm - 7pm Tuesday 2pm - 5pm wednesday 10am - 12pm 2pm - 4pm Friday 2pm - 7pm Saturday 10am - 12.30pm llangefni library Monday 9.30am - 7pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm wednesday 9am - 1pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 7pm Saturday 9am - 12pm newborough library Monday 10am - 12pm wednesday 2pm - 5pm Friday 2pm - 4pm
