73% of Social Landlord Staff Say Their Tenants in Arrears

Nearly three quarters of housing association staff say their tenants are falling behind on rent this year, with over a third reporting the main cause is the bedroom tax. In a Unison survey, Community and Voluntary Services in the Age of Austerity, 73 per cent of housing association staff report their tenants were in arrears this year. Thirty five per cent reported the top reason was the bedroom tax, with the next common reasons being complex benefit changes, the rising cost of living and lack of employment. The poll of 756 housing association workers between July and August showed half of staff had seen an increase in tenants being evicted or forced to move out due to financial pressures. Download a copy of the report from the Unison website.