east london financial inclusion unit:
working in partnership to increase financial inclusion
 

Good Practice

These publications are examples of the good practice initiatives that have been produced that you may find of interest.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained: creating sustainable tenancies and maximising revenue collection

An easy-to-use tool kit of good practice for landlords, both local authorities and social landlords. It highlights how better investment in preventative measures can actually save social landlords money in the long term and help tenants stay in their homes. Copies of the report are available in downloadable pdf format (size approx 500k) from the ELFI website.

The report was launched on 24th May 2006 at the Social Landlords Forum. The next forum will take place in September 2006. If you are interested in hearing more about this work or taking part in future forum events, please contact Paul Street at paul@elfi.org.uk or telephone 020 8555 8630.

Tax Credits Overpayment: How they arise, how they are recovered and how to challenge them

produced by Low Incomes Tax Reform Group in March 2005 and can be downloaded from their website www.litrg.org.uk

This is a resource to help advisers in the negotiation process with the Tax Credit Office in cases of tax credit overpayments.

The Banking Code

produced by British Bankers Association in March 2005 and can be downloaded from the following links www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=140

This is a voluntary code which sets standards of good banking practice for financial institutions to follow when they are dealing with personal customers in the United Kingdom. It provides valuable protection for customers and explains how financial institutions are expected to deal with them on a day-to-day and in times of financial difficulty.

It is also a useful tool in the advice negotiation process.

Dealing with debt: A Partnership Approach - The Common Financial Statement

produced by British Bankers' Association and Money Advice Trust in April 2005 and can be downloaded from www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=146&a=729

The websites for these organisations are www.bba.org.uk and www.moneyadvicetrust.org

The financial statement is a basic tool in money advice. The statement shows the income and essential expenditure of the client and the disposal income available for repayment of debt.

The CFS is a tool for advisers with the aim of improving the trust and understanding between banks and advisers - enhancing the negotiation process and thus saving time and improving the efficiency of the service.

Improving the Effectiveness of Rent Arrears Management: - Good Practice Guidance

produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in June 2005 and can be downloaded from the following links:

www.odpm.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1155421

This guidance on improving the effectiveness of the management of rent arrears is aimed at all social landlords and all levels of a landlord's rent arrears management service.