COUNCIL house tenants in Waveney are being urged not to allow rent arrears to build up in the lead-up to Christmas as part of a new campaign.Waveney District Council is encouraging its tenants not to 'suffer in silence' but to get help with managing debt by contacting its housing team to discuss a realistic payment plan.

COUNCIL house tenants in Waveney are being urged not to allow rent arrears to build up in the lead-up to Christmas as part of a new campaign.

Waveney District Council is encouraging its tenants not to 'suffer in silence' but to get help with managing debt by contacting its housing team to discuss a realistic payment plan.

As part of the initiative, the council will be making high visibility visits across the district to call on tenants with rent arrears, or who are not keeping to agreements to reduce their debts.

Figures show that with the economic downturn nearly a fifth of tenants have arrears of differing degrees.

Housing's principal service manager, David Howson, said: 'We encourage tenants to pay their arrears voluntarily rather than having to resort to further action and will always try to help those in need. Tenants may be entitled to additional benefits and we have organised special events to provide advice.

'However, if someone refuses to engage with us then we will continue with a robust line to ensure we receive the rent that is owed to us. As part of this latest campaign, we have set up high profile visits to those tenants that regularly default. This is only being fair to all those tenants that do pay on time.'

Tenants having difficulty with their rent should contact their housing officer urgently. Visit www.waveney.gov.uk/housingofficers.