Still time to sign up to Bacs Direct Debit Campaign

Housing associations across Wales are being urged to take advantage of a new national campaign aimed at increasing the number of tenants paying their rent by Direct Debit.

Launched by Bacs Payment Schemes Limited (Bacs) – the not-for-profit organisation behind Direct Debit in the UK – and Community Housing Cymru Group (CHC), the new collective Welsh rents campaign will see housing associations and their tenants encouraged to take advantage of the convenience and ease offered by Direct Debit.

The initiative, which runs until 1 December 2014, is open to CHC members and supports the organisation’s ‘Your Benefits are Changing’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the changes being brought in with the introduction of Universal Credit, expected to be fully implemented across Wales by 2017.

Qualifying housing associations have until 30 September to sign-up and those taking part will be able to access a range of marketing collateral produced by Bacs. With a prize of £2,000 in Love2Shop vouchers on offer, there is also a compelling incentive for tenants to change the way they pay their rent.

Direct Debit is a cost-effective way for housing associations to collect rent, proving more efficient to process than alternatives such as cash or cheque transactions. For rent payers, Direct Debit offers an easy and hassle-free way to automate regular outgoings.

Bacs’ housing association sector specialist, Dawneth Perry, said: “We are pleased to have teamed up with CHC to launch this campaign and it’s great that we have had such a strong response from housing associations, with 17 already signed-up.

Not only is Direct Debit an easy and efficient method for collecting payments, for tenants it takes the hassle out of paying the rent and offers peace of mind that payments won’t be forgotten.

“With £2,000 in shopping vouchers up-for-grabs simply for switching to Direct Debit there’s never been a better time for people to change the way they pay.”

Sioned Hughes, CHC’s Interim Chief Executive, said: “This national campaign offers benefits for tenants and housing associations alike and it’s no surprise that our members have been quick to join the campaign.

“All the information can be found on our website, including a simple online form which our members can use to register.”

CHC members interested in getting involved in the campaign should log-on to www.chcymru.org.uk for more information and to register.

Alternatively, members can email Edwina-O'Hart@chcymru.org.uk. Housing associations which want to know more about the benefits of increasing Direct Debit sign-up rates should contact d.perry@bacsservices.co.uk