Tenant Annual Report 2025

The rent and service charges tenants pay help fund the housing services we provide. Our Rent and Income team's focus is to ensure that rent and other service charges are collected. They also help tenants maximise their income and by doing so help tenants to sustain their tenancies.

What we achieved in 2024/25

• collected over 99% of all rent owed
• reduced rent debt by £353,249
• helped tenants gain £6.3 million through financial advice, grants, and benefits
• made sure 51% of tenants on Universal Credit (4,602 people) had their rent paid directly to us
• referred over 1,800 tenants to support services like Citizens Advice Gateshead, 2Way Tenancy Solutions, and LEAP energy
• worked with tenants to agree on a new policy for setting rent and service charges

In the next 12 months:

• make it easier to pay rent by introducing paperless Direct Debit applications
• continue helping tenants move to Universal Credit, especially those with more complex needs
• work with other organisations to support tenants affected by things like the Bedroom Tax and Benefit Cap
• focus on early support to help tenants stay on top of rent payments and avoid falling behind

If you would like help and support with income maximisation, please email [email protected]

How your rent and service charges are spent 

Every penny of your rent and service charges is reinvested back into your homes and services.