LIMONDS WYND ACQUISITION We have just bought the site of the former Prince of Wales pub in Ayr. It is in a prominent location facing King Street. The Council has also agreed to sell us the adjacent former school building. This will be demolished and the combined site will then house approximately 25 new flats and houses.
RENT ARREARS It was very disappointing to note that a number of tenants failed to pay their rent during the festive period. Some have simply said that they used the rent money to pay towards other costs they incurred in the lead up to and during the Christmas holidays. We fully appreciate the financial pressures that arise during this time. It is simply not acceptable though for tenants to use the rent money as a form of “interest-free loan� to help pay the costs of gifts and other items which increase at that time of the year. We aim now to recover the arrears from tenants and we will take whatever reasonable course of action required to recover these debts. If this results in legal action, the legal costs will be recharged to those tenants responsible. The vast majority of our tenants maintain their rent payments throughout that time and make other arrangements to cover the costs of Christmas. We can assist tenants who wish, or need, to plan to ensure that they are not tempted to withhold their rent money and spend it on other items. If tenants wish to pay extra towards their rent each month to ensure that their rent account is in credit at that time of year we can agree the amounts that are required to be paid in the months prior to Christmas. Alternatively, we can assist tenants with joining 1st Alliance Credit Union who have a range of services which can help tenants avoid falling behind with rent payments due to not having properly planned and budgeted. For example, 1st Alliance provide a Christmas savings account which protects the money deposited into that account throughout the year and only allows for a withdrawal to be made from the account at Christmas. This is an excellent way of planning and putting money aside for this time. 1st Alliance also can provide low cost loans to members which are significantly more affordable than high street, payday lenders. An increasing number of our tenants are now members of 1st Alliance and we have put in place a formal partnership with them to help our tenants become members and to open up accounts. Please contact your Housing Officer or Jacqueline Rowlands, our Money Advice Officer, if you wish further information regarding the Credit Union and budgeting generally.
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