Background. When your rent is due. Ways to pay

Transcription

1 Paying your rent

2 Paying you rent Background It is very important that you pay rent on time as we rely on the income from rents to fund the services we provide. It is also a condition of your tenancy agreement that you pay your rent when it is due. When your rent is due Your rent is payable monthly in advance. It is due for payment on the first day of each month. There are a range of ways you can pay your rent so pick the one that suits you best. If for any reason you think you are going to have difficulty in paying, please contact us immediately. We can help with advice and support. You may also want to read our Managing your money leaflet. For money advice you can also contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, which offers a free and independent service. If you miss a payment, you will be in arrears and we will act in accordance with our Rent Arrears policy. You can see a copy of this policy at our website or at your local office. Ways to pay Everyone is different so we have set up a range of ways to pay. These are: Direct debit Paying by direct debit is easy, safe and reliable and it is impossible to forget to pay your rent. If you would like to pay this way please contact Hastoe Direct and ask for a direct debit form.

3 Alternatively, you can download a form from our website. We will process your request to set up or amend a direct debit within seven days. Post Office or Pay Point outlets If you want to pay by this method, let Hastoe Direct know and we will send you an Allpay rent payment card within seven days. The card enables you to pay at any post office or outlet showing the Pay Zone and Pay Point signs. Payments by this method will normally take three days to reach us. Internet banking If you bank online, you can set up either a standing order or a one off payment. Please ensure you quote your six digit tenant reference or leaseholder number as the reference on your online banking form. Debit or credit card You can pay your rent by debit or credit card on our website or by telephone just call Hastoe Direct. Alternatively, if you have an Allpay swipe card you can call their 24-hour payment line and follow the automated instructions. Cheques If paying by cheque, please make sure it is payable to Hastoe Housing Association Limited (or if appropriate Hastoe Wyvern Housing Association Limited ). Please put your tenant number and address on the reverse. Your tenant number can be found on your rent statement. At our office You can pay your rent at any of our local offices. Please do not send cash in the post. Standing Order If you wish to pay by standing order, please contact Hastoe Direct and ask for a standing order form or download one from our website. See below for our account details.

4 Our bank details Standing orders should be made to the accounts below: Housing Association Sort Code Account Number Hastoe Housing Association Hastoe Wyvern Housing Association The Bernard Herridge Charity One off payments should be made to the accounts below: Housing Association Sort Code Account Number Hastoe Housing Association Hastoe Wyvern Housing Association The Bernard Herridge Charity

5 Paying you rent Housing Benefit Housing Benefit is available from your local council if you are on a low income or unemployed. You need to make a claim to the Housing Benefit department and, if successful, make sure that they are paying. In most cases, Housing Benefit is paid every four weeks in arrears. This means that your rent account will always show between one and four weeks arrears. These are the only arrears that we will allow on your account. If you are entitled to only partial Housing Benefit you must pay the rest of your rent in advance. If your Housing Benefit stops, your rent may be up to four weeks in arrears and you must act immediately to bring your account up to date. If you are having difficulties making a claim for Housing Benefit, please contact us and we will help you. If you are overpaid Housing Benefit, you will have to pay this back. If there are any changes in your circumstances (for example your annual rent increase) you must contact your Housing Benefit Office immediately to notify them. Rent statements We send you a statement for your rent account every three months. This shows money paid and money due. You can request a mini-statement at any time and we will send it to you within seven days. What to do if you need help If you would like to talk to someone about paying your rent please contact Hastoe Direct. Contact details can be found on the back of this leaflet.

6 How to contact us Write Hastoe Direct, Hastoe Housing Association, Marina House, 17 Marina Place, Hampton Wick, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT1 4BH Telephone Textphone Alternative formats of this document If you require this information in another language, large print or different format such as braille or audio CD please contact Hastoe Direct. Website Accreditations We value fairness and diversity. We strive to do the best we can and to improve to achieve excellence. External organisations check that we mean and do what we say, and have accredited us. These include: in business for neighbourhoods means we have made a set of promises to customers, neighbourhoods and excellence in line with other National Housing Federation members. Positive about disabled people means means we have agreed to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees. QHS is a membership organisation which drives continuous improvements in service performance. Investors in People is a standard which helps organisations transform their business performance through staff development. Bronze means we have achieved more than the standard award. Stonewall works with a whole range of agencies- diversity champions - to address the needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the wider community. SHIFT provides an assessment of our sustainability performance. Printed on recycled paper - August 2011 Hastoe Ref: /0211/LFT/V3