River Clyde Homes is encouraging its customers to have their say on when and how they pay their rent.

Most housing associations in Scotland charge their customers’ rent over a 52 week period but River Clyde Homes collects rents over 48 weeks with four ‘no charge weeks’ each year in June/July and December.

Stephen McCabe, the chair of River Clyde Homes’ audit and finance committee, said: “We are consulting with customers to find out if they would prefer to pay their rent over 52 weeks as it would reduce the average weekly rent on a 2-bedroom tenement (excluding service charges) from £80 to £74. This could have very real benefits for customers, especially now that the Welfare Benefits Reforms have kicked in.”

He added: “We also want to offer the ability to pay rent at a time that suits them. We currently collect rents weekly but that could be fortnightly or monthly. This proposal is in direct response to customers who say the flexibility would help them with their household budgeting.”

Each customer is being sent a consultation card with two straightforward questions. All they have to do is give their response and return the card to the freepost address.

Each response will be entered into a prize draw with one customer having the chance of winning a £50 shopping voucher in time for Christmas.

Customers can also participate in the consultation using an online questionnaire here.

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