A GREAT-grandfather from Blackbird Leys was left shocked after being told to pay more rent in advance – just in case he dies.

Michael Sherry, 70, was stunned when he was sent the letter from his landlord, Oxford Citizens Housing Association (OCHA).

The letter, detailing his direct debit rent payments for the next year, stated his monthly payment included an additional £13 to increase the credit in his account.

It explained that tenants were encouraged to be a month in credit to cover costs “in the unfortunate event of a resident dying”.

Mr Sherry said OCHA’s insensitive wording had upset him and his family, and the policy itself “beggared belief”. He added: “They want you to build up a month’s money in case you die. Do they want a month’s notice of you dying? I was shocked by it.

“They are going to get interest on that money, not the tenants.”

The issue arose after Mr Sherry, a retired lorry driver, questioned OCHA’s rent calculation on his one-bed flat in Fry’s Court.

The housing association accepted that Mr Sherry’s calculation of £192 was correct but wanted to keep the payments at £205 to increase his credit.

In a letter OCHA stated that a month’s credit was encouraged because: “In the unfortunate event of a resident dying, housing benefit payments stop on the date of death, whereas the tenancy does not end for a further four weeks. It is good to be in credit so that family or next of kin are not burdened with finding the rent money.”

The letter also said credit was encouraged because rent and charges were due in advance.

Last night, OCHA apologised for the upset the letter had caused and promised to choose its words more carefully in future.

OCHA spokesman Nick Taylor said: “Payment of rent in advance is a standard requirement of our tenancy agreements and we explained this when writing to the resident concerned.

“However, we accept that it was unnecessary and inappropriate to also mention what happens in relation to rent payment when a resident has died.

“We regret any upset this letter has caused and will review the wording of future letters carefully.

“OCHA works hard to support and advise all residents and we always try to be flexible to suit individual circumstances.”

Mr Sherry said: “I am happy they are taking that wording out.”