Rent

Different Ways to Pay

Directly from your bank account

Setting up a regular payment directly from your bank account can provide peace of mind as your bank can make sure that your rent is paid to us automatically on a regular day each week or month. Online banking can also allow you to make one off payments.

You can set up direct payments from your bank account in a variety of different ways:

• By logging into your online bank account
• Using your bank’s online banking app.
• Calling a branch of your bank

If you are not already registered for online services with your bank or you need help to set up a payment, your Support Worker or Housing Officer can advise and support you with this and provide you with our bank account details.

Using an Allpay card

If you are responsible for paying some or all of your rent directly we can arrange for you to receive an AllPay card. If you do not already have a payment card and would like one, please contact your housing Officer who would be happy to arrange this.

A payment card allows you can use it to pay your rent in any of the following ways:-

• AllPay’s payment App: This allows you to make a payment anytime using your android or apple smartphone. The AllPay app is available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play enabling you to pay your rent and other bills from your IPhone or Android smartphone.
• PayPoint outlets: These can be found in many local shops as well as Co-op, Spar, Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco Express, Post Offices. Simply hand the swipe card to the counter staff together with your payment which can be cash or debit card. They will then swipe your payment card through an electronic reader and key in the amount of your rent payment. You should be provided with a printed receipt which you should keep safely.
• AllPay by Telephone: Your AllPay card can also be used to pay your rent by telephone (Please note additional call charges may apply). Telephone payments can be made 24/7. Details about the phone number to call and current call charges are shown in the letter provided with your Allpay card or by visiting www.allpayments.net
• AllPay Online: To pay your rent online you will need to register for an online AllPay account at www.allpayments.net using your valid email address. Once you have registered and logged in you will need to enter your unique payment card number and follow the payment instructions. After registration you can pay your rent online at any time using your debit card.

In Person

If you are struggling to make a payment by one of the other methods you can pay by cash or cheque at our offices during our opening hours. You should be provided with a receipt which you should keep safely.

By Post

We don’t recommend this method of payment as it is slower and less reliable than other methods of payment. If you post a cheque for your rent please write your address on the back of the cheque. Never send cash through the post.

Rent Arrears and Managing your Rent Account

Rent Arrears or Struggling to Pay?

If are having problems paying some or all of your rent the most important thing you can do is get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can help you.

If you fall behind with your rent we will assist you in a helpful and supportive way, give you flexible options for paying your rent and help you make an achievable plan to get back on track.

We can also offer you direct support and also help you to access external services specifically for individuals experiencing hardship. Ways we can help include:

• Helping you to work out benefit entitlement such as Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit or have your current claim reassessed.
• Help completing forms and liaising with the DWP or Housing Benefit Department
• Referral to specialist agencies that might be able to help you with debt and money management.
• Advice on how to save money and reduce your day to day expenses.
• Information about local services and resources that can help reduce pressure on your household budget (e.g. warm safe spaces, free food) and grants to help with financial hardship.

Changes in your Circumstances

Changes in circumstances are perhaps the most common reason for residents falling behind with their rent. Most commonly this occurs in three ways:

• Starting work or increasing work hours – this usually results in reduced to benefit entitlements and overpayments being claimed back by Housing Benefit which then creates arrears on your rent account.
• Reduced working hours or losing your job - this may leave you struggling to afford your rent, existing benefits being underpaid or missing out on new benefits for which you have become entitled to.
• Changes in Educational Status – you may have started or ended study at college or shifted between Full time and Part time study which may result in changes to benefit entitlement.

What to do if Your Circumstances Change

It is vital that you inform us of any changes in your circumstances immediately so that we can help you take the necessary steps to protect you from building up rent arrears.

Please contact your Housing Officer or Support worker as soon as possible. They can help you to complete the necessary forms, contact the relevant departments and help you to work out if are receiving the correct levels of benefit.

Cost of Living Crisis

The cost of essential things like food, gas and electricity are going up quickly but wages and benefits aren’t increasing at the same rate (if at all). This means that paying for the things you need are becoming increasingly difficult.

We are acutely aware that many of our residents are facing an incredibly difficult time already and that further energy rises in October 2022 are going to make this winter even more challenging as this is when most of us need to use more energy to keep our homes warm and to cook hot food.

How this might affect you

• Your money from wages or benefits may not cover as much as usual.
• You might find it harder to pay for food
• You may find it harder to afford the energy to light and heat your home.
• You may find you can no longer afford other things because of how much you spending on food and fuel costs.
• You may need to make challenging decisions about how you prioritise your spending.

Prioritising your Rent

We understand that no circumstances are exactly the same but most (if not all) advice agencies will advise that your highest priority should be keeping a roof over your head.

Managing your rent payments responsibly is key to protecting your housing security. If neglected, you could face legal action and in the worst-case scenario eviction from your home. We advise all of our residents to prioritise paying their rent first and to contact us immediately if you are having difficulties.

Our In-Crisis Page has additional information about how we can support and advise you through difficult times.