About Your Rent
Your rent is assessed annually at the beginning of the financial
year. The calculation to set rent levels is based on the size and
type of property you live in. You will be notified in writing four
weeks in advance of any increase in your rent.
You can choose to pay your rent weekly, fortnightly, every four
weeks or once each calendar month. However, please remember that
under the terms of your tenancy agreement you must pay rent at
least one week in advance, so which ever payment frequency you
choose should be in advance to stop you from falling into
arrears.
Rent Card
A plastic rent payment card is issued to you at the
start of your tenancy. You will receive a new carrier for it each
April telling you about your new weekly rent. The plastic rent
payment card itself should, however, last five years.
If you lose the plastic Rent Card you will be charged for a
replacement. Please contact your local Area Office if you need a
replacement card.
Remember you will not be able to pay your rent at a Post Office
counter, PayPoint or Payzone outlet without your rent payment
card.
Rent Free Weeks
There are four rent free weeks each year; one in April, one in
July and two in December.
If you fall behind with your rent during the year you should
continue to pay during the free weeks to reduce your arrears.
Rent Arrears
If you do not pay your rent regularly arrears will mount up. We
understand that everyone faces money problems from time to time,
and if you contact your area housing office as soon as
you realise you might have difficulty meeting your rent payments we
will work with you to manage the situation.
The payment of your rent is an important part of your tenancy
agreement, and if you do not pay your rent, or fail to keep to any
repayment arrangement, we will take action against you in court.
Non-payment of rent may ultimately result in you losing your home.
Most landlords will also take into account any outstanding rent
arrears when considering whether to offer you somewhere to
live.
