Thursday, November 20, 2008
Boston Mayflower
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Importance of rent

 

The payment of rent is vital for both yourself and Boston Mayflower.

We depend on your rent to finance our business.

Rent is used to pay for the services you expect from us such as repairs and improvements to your home, managing your tenancy and providing advice and assistance.

Rent is the basis of your tenancy: you pay the rent and in return you receive accommodation, a variety of services and your rights as a tenant.

If you do not pay rent you are breaking one of the main conditions of your tenancy and putting your tenancy at risk.

 

Service Charges

 

Some tenants have to pay service charges as well as rent. These charges are for services and facilities  which are not covered by the rent. They include charges for caretaking, off-road parking and careline alarms. Sheltered housing tenants will be charged for warden services, communal facilities, water and heating fuel costs.

 

How much to pay

 

The amount you have to pay at the start of your tenancy will be set out in the letter sent to you when you are offered your tenancy.

Your rent and service charges can only be changed once each year (normally at the beginning of April).

We will write to you at least 1 month before your rent and service charges change to tell you the new charges.

In the past rents have increased each year by no more than 1% above the cost of living index.

Service charges will be set so that the cost of providing each service is covered and no profit is made.

All increases to rents and service charges will be monitored by the Housing Corporation, our regulators, and be decided by the Board of Boston Mayflower which includes tenant directors.

Our rents are intended to be affordable for those living and working in this area, especially those on low incomes, and to be similar to those charged by other local registered social landlords.