Support to avoid eviction offered

A service to help people who are struggling to pay their rent has been set up in a Berkshire town.

People 1st rent recovery team, an organisation run on behalf of Slough Borough Council, has offered help and advice to tenants.

Since April this year, 14 evictions have been carried out by the council on people who have been unable to keep up with their rent.

The not-for-profit group is now running advice surgeries for people at risk.

'Best approach'

Juliet James-Lionel, head of housing for People 1st, said: "We know many tenants struggle to pay rent because they have so many other bills to pay.

"Some tenants feel that making occasional payments to everyone chasing them is enough, but often it isn't.

"We really want people to work with us as they will be surprised at how much our team are able to help and tenants will gain a new understanding of the best approach to paying their debts."

The advice surgeries are being held at Britwell Talk Shop, Cippenham Library, and Chalvey.

Commissioner for housing, Cllr Tony Haines, said: "It can be very difficult for some tenants to pay their rent as well as other bills, so these surgeries could be just the key to helping them balance the books."