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Tenancy top tips

Look at these ways to save money while keeping safe and warm.

Take a look at the 10 following ideas and tips to help you.

1. Make sure you get your gas or solid fuel boiler and fires serviced once a year. If you can't keep the appointment made for you, don't just leave it - ring the number on the card and make one more convenient to you. The visit will make sure they are working economically and that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. Read our information on gas servicing

2. If Christmas has left you struggling to pay your rent, call 915 4920 to meet one of our Financial Inclusion Officers. They can help you arrange to pay your arrears off in instalments, explain notices of possession and give you basic advice on other debts including loans and credit card bills

3. Every year billions of pounds are unclaimed unclaimed in benefits by older people and families on low incomes, for example. If this is you try:

• answering the 'benefits adviser' questionnaire to find out what benefits you may be entitled to at www.direct.gov.uk
• seeing if you may be entitled to housing benefit
• looking at our information on paying your rent and tips on saving money
• going to the Nottingham City Council website to find out about council tax benefit and discounts
• going to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk if you are of working age and looking for employment
• the Independent Benefit Helpline on 0906 120 9833 for advice on a wide range of benefits
  

4. If you don't have any loft insulation - get some! Call the Energy Savings Trust for free on 0800 512 012 for information on schemes and prices. You may need yours topping up if you had your loft insulated a long time ago.

5. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times - you don't know who might come into your home when you're in another room or upstairs. Close your curtains at night before you put your lights on so people don't look into your front room at the nice new TV you had for Christmas

6. If you are away from home for a while, keep your central heating on low to keep the pipes from freezing. You could also switch off cold water pipes at the main stop tap (usually under the sink). See our tips and advice

7. Watch out for bogus callers talking their way into your home. All our work people carry ID. If you don't know them or are not satisfied with their ID, ask them to come back later when someone is with you. Ring the organisation they say they are from (not necessarily from their card if you've never had anything to do with them) by getting the number from the Yellow Pages. If they are genuine they will not mind waiting

8. Bracing winter walks are just the way to keep fit after the Christmas period. But even if you don't fancy going outdoors, keep moving - exercise is good for you even if you only do it indoors to music or the tv or while you are doing the cleaning!

9. Wrap up warmly when you go out and wear warm clothes for bed - several thin layers are better than fewer thick ones

10. Don't dump your rubbish and unwanted Christmas packaging. It is an offence and you can be fined up to £50,000. If you can't fit your items in your recycling bin, take them to your local recycling centre. Report dumped rubbish to Nottingham City Council on 915 2000 or 915 2020 (anti-social behaviour helpline). If you see it being dumped, try to get as much information as possible to tell the council. Look at our information on recycling

Housing benefit calculator

Use our handy on-line calculator to see how much benefit you might get. Follow the step by step process.