BURY is winning its fight to reduce the amount of money owed to it in rent arrears.

The council has seen current and former tenancy arrears drop in the past 15 months by almost £500,000 after a renewed drive to tackle the problem.

The improvement has been brought about by a variety of methods, including providing tenants with quarterly rent statements, streamlining procedures and introducing a co-ordinated benefit and debt counselling advice service. The Council has also made it easier for tenants to pay their rent on time.

As a result, they can now pay at their local cash office or post office, by direct debit or standing order, over the internet or by telephone using their credit or debit card.

The result has been a decline in rent arrears from just over £1million in December 2001 to £944,817 in April 2003. Former tenancy arrears have reduced from £1,211,533 to £819,660 during the same period.

Bury's head of social services, health and housing Eleni Ioannides said: "The council has taken positive steps in the last year to reduce the level of rent arrears owed to us and is committed to tackling those people who fail to pay their rent on time.

"As a council we will always try to offer support and assistance to tenants who are unable to pay their rent and will refer people on to independent specialist advisers if necessary. We will also help tenants to submit a claim for housing benefit if appropriate.

"The council will not, however, tolerate people who persistently fail to pay their rent or ignore the advice given by officers.

"In such circumstances we will have no option but to commence legal action to end the tenancy.

"The council has introduced a wide range of improvements following the publication of a negative report about the rent collection service in 2001.

"We are looking forward to the publication of the Housing Inspectorate's findings following a re-inspection of the service earlier this year and are confident the significant efforts we have made will be recognised by the Inspectors.''