About your Rent
- Why is it important to pay my rent?
- How can I pay my rent?
- Who sets my rent?
- Do I have to pay a service charge?
- Am I responsible for paying the council tax?
- What about the water rates?
Why is it important to pay my rent?
The rent you pay is the most important source of income for the Trust. It is the lifeblood of the organisation and without it we would be unable to provide vital services such as repairs, planned maintenance and community initiatives. That's why it is essential that you pay your rent and any additional charges on time.
Direct Debit - this is the easiest method of paying your rent. This way your rent is paid direct from your bank account on time, every time. Furthermore, we contact your bank direct when there are any changes to your payment - making less work for you. Click here for more information on how to pay your rent by Direct Debit.
Standing Order - this way is similar to Direct Debit, but the onus is on you to contact your bank to arrange any changes to your payment.
Rent payment card - you can pay your rent at any Post Office by simply handing your swipe card over the counter with your payment.
By post - you can send a cheque or postal order (NOT cash) to Rent Accounting, Astra House, Spinners Lane, Poynton, Cheshire, SK12 1GA. Please write your rent account number and your name and address on the back of your cheque to ensure the payment reaches your account without delay. * Please do not send cash by post *
By telephone - you can use your debit or credit card to pay by telephone. Simply call our Customer Services Team on 0845 6041095.
Online - We shall shortly be introducing the facility for you to pay your rent online using our secure payments website.
Your rent is set by the Trust in line with a government formula, which establishes a target rent for each property. Rent setting is based on:
- Value of your property
- Number of bedrooms
- Average local earnings
Our aim is to set rents that are affordable to all our tenants, but cover the costs of providing and managing your home. There are Government limits to how much we can increase the rent and how much above the target rents we can charge.
If you are not happy with your rent you can appeal to the Rent Assessment Committee (see useful contacts) - our Customer Service Team can provide details of the procedure.
Do I have to pay a service charge?
For properties with shared facilities, such as gardens or communal entrances, we need to ensure that they are kept clean, tidy and well lit. We employ staff or contractors to carry out these services and split the cost between all the tenants in the scheme.
If you have to pay a service charge it will be clearly shown on your tenancy agreement, including details of the services you will receive. Service charges are set or "fixed" at the beginning of each financial year based on an estimated cost of providing the service.
If you do not think the charge is reasonable you can appeal to the Rent Assessment Committee. However, some tenancies have 'variable service charges' for which special rules apply, including a right of appeal to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. Your local manager will advise you on your type of service charge.
Am I responsible for paying the council tax?
You have to pay your own council tax to the council in your area. Your council tax bill will give you information about how to pay.
If you live on your own or are the only adult in the property you will receive a discount of 25% off the full council tax rate.
If you are on a low income you can claim Council Tax Benefit. Your local manager will be able to advise you how to apply.
The regional water company in each area collects water rates from people living within its locality. Water rates in our properties are charged in different ways:
- If you have a water meter, you will get a bill for the water you have used and for some basic charges
- If you live in retirement housing or a block of flats with a communal meter, we will divide the water charge between all prooperties in the scheme or block in the same ways as service charges are divided. We will collect the water charge with the rent.
- If your property is not covered by a water meter, the water authority will send you a bill based on the "rateable value" of your home. This is a value fixed by the local council's District Valuer.
Water rates are not covered by Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
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