Up to your ears in rent arrears? The council can help.

East Dunbartonshire Council has launched a new campaign this week which could help.

They have introduced flexinble payment methods to encourage tenants to pay their rent on time.

The move comes during a council advertising campaign aimed at tackling the issue of rent arrears. The campaign, which poses the question ‘Up to your ears in rent arrears?’, will run on local buses and our newspapers for the next three weeks.

Convener of Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Stewart MacDonald said: “We aim to make it as easy as possible for tenants to make rent payments.”

Tenants can now use payment kiosks at a Community Hub, by direct debit, standing order, at the Post Office using a rent payment card, by telephone (0300 123 4510), by touch tone method (out of hours - call 0300 123 4524 – you will need a rent reference number) or online at www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk.

Councillor MacDonald added: “The only thing we ask is that rents are paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly in advance as laid out in tenancy agreements.

“I would urge anyone who is experiencing difficulty in paying their rent to get in touch with their Housing Officer – we are here to help. We can also help those with multiple debt issues by referring on to other agencies.”

Tenants should call 0300 123 4510 and ask to speak to the local Housing Officer.