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Paying your council rent
It is important to keep up to date with rent payments and seek help as soon as you have problems. Find out how your council can help you pay your rent if you have difficulties.
Payment methods
There are a number of ways to pay your rent such as at a Post Office, by Direct Debit, by cheque, Switch or debit card. Your council may also provide other payment options.
Direct Debit is an easy way to pay your rent, the money going automatically from your bank account or building society each month.
There are advantages to paying your rent by Direct Debit. For example,
- payments are made automatically from your bank account, so you don't have to remember to pay each month
- you can put the worry of overlooking a payment, perhaps due to illness or being on holiday, behind you
- if a credit or debit is created to your rent account, your Direct Debit payment will be recalculated to take into consideration any changes to your rent account for the remaining monthly payments. You should receive notification of any changes to your Direct Debit to make sure it is correct
- when a tenancy ends the Direct Debit automatically ends
- the council will update your Direct Debit every year and inform you of any changes
You may also be able to pay your council rent online.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Post Office Payment Card
You can now pay your rent and council tax at the Post Office using the Post Office payment card. You can request a payment card from your local council.
Help with paying your rent
If you need help paying your rent you may be entitled to Housing Benefit. Your Housing Officer can give you advice and assistance on paying your rent. When tenants are in arrears they can make agreements with the council to reduce the arrears. However, councils can take legal action if tenants persistently fail to pay their rent.
Information on repaying your rent
If you are in arrears the council will try and reach a realistic agreement for you to repay the amount due over a period of time.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.
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