RENT arrears were slashed by more than half after Wyre Forest CAB intervened on behalf of clients.

In eight cases during the past year, the CAB's actions helped tenants of Wyre Forest Community Housing reduce their arrears from £6,123.56 to £2,359.97.

Darryl Madeley, money advice worker with the CAB, said in the organisation's annual report tenants could incur rent arrears without realising it.

"For example," he said, "a retired couple in receipt of benefits may allow a family member who is working to live with them for a short period of time.

"The onus is on the tenants to advise the Benefit Agency of the change of circumstances as the working member should be contributing to the rent, therefore, affecting their housing benefit entitlement.

"People do not always realise this and there will be a non-dependant deduction on the housing benefit as a result of this. Consequently, arrears will soon build up."

He added: "Some families are still not aware, particularly if they are working, that they may be entitled to child tax credit.

"If a client is having direct deductions from benefit and if it is causing hardship, sometimes we try to get the payment reduced to ensure that they can meet other commitments."