The DoI has apologised after 137 of its tenants received letters incorrectly stating they were in rent arrears.
The issue was identified by the department’s housing team, which found tenants paying monthly were being flagged as in arrears for most of the month.
DoI Minister Dr Michelle Haywood explained this was “due to a difference between the date the rent is charged on the first of each month and the date some tenants make their payments, typically on the 25th”.
Operational letters were sent to encourage alignment with tenancy agreements, but the minister confirmed the root cause was a historical departmental payment setup predating a 2021 system change.
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“The department has learned from this error and has already written to all the tenants apologising for the mistake and any distress that was caused,” Dr Haywood said.
The minister, whose update was welcomed by members, was made aware after MHKs raised constituent concerns.
Dr Haywood acknowledged the need for greater oversight, saying, “It is standard practice for the housing team to send out mail shots on an operational basis.
“However, we do recognise, in this case that there should have been greater oversight.”
All 137 affected tenants, located across the island in DoI properties, have now been contacted.