How do you set rent and service charges?
The government has a formula we must use to set our rent and service charges. The formula applies to councils and housing associations and makes sure that rents for similar homes in similar parts of the country are the same.
For more information contact the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 030 3444 0000 or visit their page on the government’s website, gov.uk.
Your rent and service charges may change in April each year. If they do, we’ll give you at least four weeks’ notice.
You can find out more in our Rent Setting and Service Charges Policy.
When should I pay my rent?
You must pay your rent and service charges in advance. You can choose whether to pay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
Please make paying your rent a priority as if you fall into arrears you could risk losing your home.
If you are a joint tenant, you are both liable for the rent, even if one of you leaves the home.
How we help you manage your rent and rent arrears payments
The information and advice we provide is designed to help you manage your rent payments. As part of our Service Standards, we will:
- Send you a rent statement regularly, showing your payable rent, your account balance, your payments, benefit payments, outstanding arrears and other adjustments
- When you ask for a copy of your rent account, send it promptly
- Give you your account balance over the phone, once we’ve confirmed your identity
- Give you advice about claiming any benefits you may be entitled to
- Give you help and advice on managing your money
- Tell you about any arrears quickly
- Give you easy-to-understand information on arrears, the help we offer, actions we may take and independent advice agencies
- Agree realistic repayment plans with you
- Refer you to an independent advice agency before taking legal action
- Respond promptly to urgent enquiries about legal action we are taking
You can find out more in our Income Recovery Policy.