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Are you living in Rochdale or Bolton and having problems getting repairs done in a private rented tenancy? Common problems with repairs include;

• Finding it difficult to contact the landlord.
• The landlord not doing the repairs or saying it’s not their responsibility.
• Problems with mould and damp.
• Problems with boilers and leaks.
• Cold and draughty homes.

Who has to do the repairs?
Depending on when you moved in and your tenancy agreement, your landlord usually has to also make sure your home is fit for human habitation.
Landlords are usually responsible for most of the repairs in a private rented tenancy, including:

• Walls, roof, window and doors.
• pipes and wiring.
• sinks, baths and toilets.
• heating and hot water.
• gas and electrical safety.
• Damp can be complicated and might not be your landlord’s responsibility-it depends on what type of damp it is and what caused it.

Tenants are responsible for:

• doing minor repairs, for example changing fuses and light bulbs.
• telling the landlord when other repairs need doing.
• fixing anything that they have damaged.

The Bond Board can help you to work out what options you have and support you to try and get the problem sorted. We can also contact your landlord on your behalf if you are finding this difficult or if your landlord’s behaviour is a problem.

CONTACT US if you are living in a private rented tenancy in Rochdale or Bolton and need any advice about disrepair in your home.

Lots of people have trouble paying their rent. Common problems that can lead to rent arrears include;

• the rent is more than you can afford.
• your circumstances have changed, for example losing a job or a relationship breakdown.
• the rent is higher than the help you get from Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
• There are problems with your benefit claim, like delays in payments or money being taken off what you get because of debts or sanctions.

If you have missed a rent payment to your landlord, don’t ignore the situation.

• It is important to sort it out as soon as possible to try and avoid losing your home.
• Try to talk to your landlord straight away and explain what has happened.
• If possible, pay what you can and try to agree more time to pay what you owe.

If you are living in a private rented tenancy in Rochdale or Bolton and need support, The Bond Board can help you to sort out problems with rent arrears and we can speak to your landlord for you if you are finding this difficult.

CONTACT US if you are having any problems paying your rent.

Money and debt problems are very common and can cause extra stress and worry. Don’t struggle on your own. If you are homeless or a private rented tenant in Rochdale or Bolton, The Bond Board can help you with;

• A full financial health check-make sure you are receiving all the money you are entitled to.
• Help with budgeting your income and your outgoings.
• Support to deal with rent arrears and to contact utility companies, such as Gas, Electricity and Water, as well as Council Tax if you are behind with your bills.
• Help to apply for grants which might reduce what you owe.
• If you have a short-term crisis, checking if you’re able to apply to your local Council’s Discretionary Welfare Fund and helping you to apply.
• If you need specialist debt advice, we can support you to work with other organisations that can help you further.

CONTACT US if you need help to sort out money problems.

Are you having problems with a benefit claim? Benefits can be really confusing and stressful to sort out. Some common problems include;

• Being told you’re not eligible for benefits.
• Difficulties making a claim for benefits.
• Delays in claims being processed.
• Sanctions, debts and overpayments being taken from benefits.
• Changes in circumstances, e.g. losing a job or a relationship breakdown which can lead to benefits being suspended and not knowing what you are entitled to.
• Wanting to appeal against a benefit decision.

The Bond Board can help you with benefit problems. We can help you to apply for benefits, contact the DWP, give you advice about your rights and options and in some circumstances, represent you at benefit appeals.

If you are homeless or living in a private rented tenancy in Bolton or Rochdale, The Bond Board can help you. CONTACT US if you need help to sort out benefit problems.

No one should have to go without food, whatever the reason. Sadly, many people struggle to buy enough food to eat and this can often be made worse if you’ve got benefit or other money problems.

If you need help to get food, The Bond Board can refer you to our local food banks or other organisations that can help, as well as helping you with managing money or benefit problems.

If you are homeless or a private rented tenant in Rochdale or Bolton, CONTACT US if you need help to get food.

Setting up a new home or finding the money to replace an essential item such as a cooker or a bed can be difficult if you are on a low income.

The Bond Board can help you with:

• Checking if you’re able to apply to your local Council’s Discretionary Welfare Fund and helping you to apply.
• Checking if you’re able to apply to local and national Trust Funds and helping you to apply.
• Checking if you can get any help from the DWP and helping you to apply.
• Supporting you to find used items online and delivering them to you as part of our ‘From My Place to Yours’ project (link to that page).

If you are homeless or a private rented tenant in Rochdale or Bolton, CONTACT US if you need help to get furniture.

Many essential services, such as Universal Credit, are now mostly online and so many things are easier to do if you have a phone or computer, like finding a home or saving money.

If you haven’t got a phone or computer, have run out of credit or you find using a phone or computer difficult, The Bond Board can help.

We can help you to use our phones and computers to;

• Gain confidence and learn new skills for getting online.
• Search for a place to live online.
• Apply for benefits such as Housing and Council Tax Benefit and manage your Universal Credit claim online.
• Find cheaper services, such as using price comparison websites for your utility bills.
• Set up an email account and apply for a bank account online.

If you are homeless or a private rented tenant in Rochdale or Bolton, CONTACT US if you need help to get online.

Do you ever feel like everything is getting on top of you? Feeling anxious, angry or emotional and you might not want to do the things that you usually enjoy? Did you know that 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem every year?

Struggling to cope with everyday life is common and it doesn’t look or feel the same in everyone. Some people shut themselves away and others turn to drugs and alcohol. You are not alone.

If you aren’t coping, you can contact The Bond Board. We can tell you about the services we can offer to support you as well as put you in touch with organisations that can provide specialist help.

If you are homeless or a private rented tenant in Rochdale or Bolton, CONTACT US to find out more about help available to support you.
If you need to speak to someone straight away, whatever you are going through, you can also contact The Samaritans free at any time, from any phone, on 116 123.