Tenants living in Tamworth Borough Council-owned homes are to be given two extra ‘rent-free’ weeks a year to help them to manage their finances.

Currently, council tenants pay their rents over a 50-week period, with a free week at Christmas and at the end of the financial year.

But from April 2012, the council is to switch to a 48-week rent year, giving tenants a free week in the summer and an extra free week at the end of the financial year.

The changes, which were approved by the Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday, will make it easier for tenants to manage their finances at the traditionally more expensive times – Christmas, summer and the end of the financial year.

The switch will also give a helping hand to tenants who might be feeling the impact of the forthcoming changes to the benefit system and allow those with rent arrears to catch up on their payments.

The amount of rent tenants pay each year will not change (subject to annual rent increase)  - the same amount will just be paid over a shorter period of time. For example, the average weekly rent for a house or bungalow is £67.16 over 50 weeks. Under the new 48-week rent year, the weekly rent will be £69.96 in return for the extra two free weeks.

Tenants who decide to pay their rents by monthly direct debit will see no change to their payments under the new system.

The new 48-week rent year will be introduced in April 2012.