Christmas advice
Avoid Christmas Rent Stress
The festive season can be a busy and expensive time for many of us, with people preparing early to make sure they have enough money for gifts and parties.
However, it’s just as important to make sure you continue paying your rent to avoid falling into debt. Putting a plan in place can help ease some of the stress associated with Christmas and the New Year and will help you manage your budget, including a fund for direct debit payments—if that’s the payment method you’ve chosen.
It’s also important to be aware of any changes to your usual payment routine and whether places you pay, such as PayPoint, are closed over the holiday period.
Our staff are also on hand throughout the year to help you avoid problems with paying rent.
We understand the challenges you face with a limited budget and we’re ready to help if things start to feel difficult. Contact your housing officer—don’t ignore our attempts to reach you. We can offer support to check your entitlements and make sure you receive the benefits you qualify for. Alternatively, use our online benefits calculator here.
It’s essential that you act quickly and let us kno wwhen difficulties arise, because legal action could be taken against you if we can’t contact you to discuss and agree how you’ll pay your rent.
Tenants who are facing other financial difficulties can also ask for advice and support through Citizens Advice or other specialist agencies. Expert advisers like these can help you contact the companies you owe money to—banks, catalogues, loan companies, doorstep collectors, etc.—and they should be able to arrange for you to make smaller payments until you’re back on track.
So, every time you shop or go online, stop and think: “Can I afford this?” not “Do I want to buy it?” Your friends and family don’t want you to go into debt buying too much food or gifts for them at Christmas.
Make sure your money goes as far as possible. Look for tips on smarter shopping and other ideas from trusted resources, like moneysavingexpert.com
Plan ahead now to make sure Christmas remains a special time of year—and to avoid debts coming down the chimney this Christmas.
Tips from the Welfare Team and how to save energy and money over the festive period
Grŵp Cynefin staff are always here to support you. Take a look at these ‘top tips’ from our wellbeing team this Christmas to help you through this period and try to reduce stress.
Christmas Fire Safety Advice
Christmas and New Year celebrations are a chance to have fun with family and friends, so follow our simple fire safety tips to keep everyone safe and enjoy the festive cheer.
