In article <bm62b8$j3tak$1@ID-49507.news.uni-berlin.de>, gazter@msn.com 
(Gaz) wrote:

> "James O'Driscoll" <mindmonkeycomealive@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:2582c0d7.0310081106.84b4493@posting.google.com...
> > I live in a council house and my landlords are not acting in an
> > appropriate manner. In 1998 my family were made bankrupt and among
> > many other debts that we had was £250 that we owed to the council for
> > rent. Having been made bankrupt we were under the impression that the
> > debt could not be recovered from us. However to this day the council
> > will not take it of their books, periodically sending bailifs round to
> > menace my mother. Furthermore, every Xmas the council gives a weeks
> > rent to any tenants who dont owe them money, about £200. Needless to
> > say we dont receive this. Add to this the fact that they are terribly
> > lax as far as repairs go and it makes for a bad experience. I know
> > this is a lengthy post but I would really appreciate some help.Thanks
> > for your time.
> 
> No wonder you went bankrupt. You dont get 'free rent' at Xmas. Your 
> rent, if in credit is calculated over a 50 week, but if in debt, a 52
> week. Doesnt mean you pay more or less. Standard practice.

It varies. Cambridge, for example, has 48 rent weeks if you're not in 
arrears and payments are normally made fortnightly. The advantage of the 
48 week system is that it is easier for people who pay monthly (like me on 
my garage). It does mean my account shows small credits and arrears all 
the time, however.

-- 
Colin Rosenstiel