Make sure you pay your rent and arrears on time over the Christmas period.

The average person spends £350 on Christmas gifts, but you should prioritise your rent and utility bills – having a home is more important than any gift.

• Factor in all your expenses and decide how much money you can afford to spend.

• The later you leave your shopping, the more crowded the shops and the more likely you are to be stressed and buy anything in order to get out of there.

• Leave the debit or credit card at home when you go shopping, unless you can afford to pay it off in full before the due date.

• Expensive gifts aren’t always the best, so decide who you are buying for, set limits and be creative.

• If it’s your turn to host Christmas lunch or dinner this year, you could ask guests to bring food or a bottle of something.

Income Manager Christopher Todd said: “So far this year, sadly 36 families in the division have been evicted because they did not pay their rent.

“Riverside does provide help for people who may need budgeting advice or help with their utility bills. Please do not suffer in silence and risk court action or eviction.”

If you are having difficulty paying your rent or reducing arrears call the Customer Service Centre on Tel: 0345 111 0000.