CAMPAIGNERS delivered Christmas cards to housing provider Bolton at Home in protest at the housing association’s decision to send festively-themed debt reminders to struggling tenants.

Residents who received the Christmas cards, detailing their level of rent arrears, have blasted the move as insensitive and patronising.

In response, Bolton at Home bosses claim they were aiming for a “gentle approach.”

A protest organised by the Bolton Against the Bedroom tax reacted to the move by producing their own Christmas cards which were delivered by Father Christmas to Bolton at Home Chief Executive Jon Lord at the headquarters in Waters Meeting Road.

The group were also protesting against the government’s controversial spare room subsidy, which has been dubbed the “Bedroom Tax” and they performed specially written Christmas carols denouncing the tax and the coalition government which introduced it in 2013.

Organiser Linda Charnock, from the campaign group, said: “The Bolton at Home Christmas cards, telling tenants how much debt they are in and warning them not to overspend at Christmas have caused a lot of upset and anxiety for vulnerable tenants.

“I have spoken to quite a few people who just said that it was done in the wrong taste and at the wrong time, when people are feeling particularly vulnerable — its just not what they needed before Christmas.

“I think there was a feeling that people would be choosing to go out and spend money on Christmas presents rather than paying rent — but these people can’t afford to do either of those things.”

Mr Lord apologised to anyone who was offended or patronised by the cards and said that the idea of reminding people of their arrears in a festive format is now up for review.

He added: “The style is something we will think about, but if you ask me if we will continue to get the message out at Christmas that tenants need to prioritise the payment of rent and that there is support and advice available, then the answer is yes.

“The bottom line is that if we don’t chase the money we are owed then we won’t have the money to spend on services for those people who have paid all their rent.”

Bolton at Home tenants are charged their 52 weeks rent for the year over a 48 week period, meaning they have four rent-free weeks, including the week before Christmas.

Mr Lord said: “This rent-free week is actually the ideal time to get ahead with their arrears payments and start the New Year in a better position.”

He added that a significant number of tenants targeted by the Christmas cards had got in touch in order to pay their owed rent money.