ONE Bromsgrove man had a spot of good news this week when he discovered he had won £300 - just for paying his rent on time!

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust has handed over £300 to Barry Stout, of Burcot Lane, after he was entered in a new prize scheme.

The draw took place on September 20.

Tenancy services manager Marie Green said: "We felt it was unfair that the people who pay their rent on time don't receive any reward for it.

"The people who don't pay on time get punished for it but those who do make rent a priority each month don't get any reward. We wanted to change that and give people an incentive to make payments."

Now the rent reward scheme will run a draw every 12 weeks where the top prize is £300 and the runner-up will get £100.

Everybody who pays their rent on time, is in credit or meets their arrears schedule will automatically be entered into the draw. The next one will take place on December 20.

Marie said: "It will make a nice Christmas present for someone!"

If anyone who has rent arrears wins the prizes, then 75 per cent will be used to pay back the money and the tenant will receive 25 per cent in cash.

kate.hughes@midlands.

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