Council house tenants in Sheffield urged to pay their rent or risk losing homes

As an incentive all tenants with a clear rent account or who have signed up to a repayment agreement by January 1 will be entered into a free prize draw with a chance of winning two £250 shopping vouchers.

Tenants failing to pay their rent risk losing their homes.

Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing at Sheffield City Council, said: “We all know that there is a lot of pressure to spend money at Christmas and this can be really hard.

“But it’s important that people in rent arrears continue to pay during the rent-free weeks so they can try and catch up on rent, to make sure their home is safe.

“We’ll do everything we can to try and help, and I’d urge anyone who is struggling to pay to contact us.”

Paul Grayson, manager of the Income Management Unit at Sheffield City Council, added: “Our staff are available to give advice and assistance to tenants who are struggling with rent, to help them make realistic and affordable payment arrangements.

“However, we will move swiftly to recover rent from those who can afford to pay and do not.”

Call 0114 2930000 for help.