Cash Taking at Area Housing Offices
Following extensive consultation with tenants representatives the Sheffield Homes Board of Directors has decided to continue cash taking at most Area Housing Offices.
Professor Tony Crook, Chair of the Sheffield Homes Board of Directors, said: "We were faced with a difficult decision because of the lack of technical support for the system we use to take cash payments. This, and the reducing number of tenants paying by cash at housing offices, meant we had to review the service. We made the decision to continue the bulk of the service following exhaustive consultation with tenants across the city, and information on the risks and costs associated with continuing to take payments. I’d like to thank all of those tenants who had an input in this decision. We are committed to continually improving the services that we provide to tenants and closely involving them in how we do this."
Cash taking will end at three Area Housing Offices, Moonshine Lane, Stocksbridge, and Norfolk Park. Locally, tenants have agreed that due to the lack of demand for the service at these offices, it can be withdrawn. This will take effect later in the year and tenants will be given ample notice of the date the service will end. Staff will advise and support payers using these offices so they can choose an alternative method or location for paying rent and Council Tax.
The introduction of a payment network (rent payment cards that can be used at post offices, PayPoint, and PayZone), and direct debit payments, early in 2004 has been very successful. The rent payment network allows people to pay in person at over 200 locations across Sheffield, and many of them are open late at night as well as at weekends. Between April 2004 and January 2005, the proportion of payments at Area Offices dropped from 62% to 40% whilst the Payment Network and direct debit rose from 8% to 30%.
Peter Morton, Chief Executive of Sheffield Homes, said: "We have been pleased with the take up of direct debit and payment cards. Tenants have been taking advantage of the convenience of being able to pay at more than 200 outlets city wide. Less than four in ten tenants now pay by cash at an area housing office and almost all tenants actually live nearer to a Post Office, PayPoint or PayZone than they do to an Area Housing Office."
Ends
For more information please contact Claire Turner, Communications Officer, on 0114 273 6934 or 07764 659181. Email claire.turner2@sheffield.gov.uk. For out of hours media enquiries ring 07711 153995.