Your Rent

It is important that you pay your rent and any service charges, on time. This money pays for the cost of providing you with your home and the services you  receive, including repairs and maintenance. Your rent is due weekly in advance, payable on a Monday. You can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, but the payment must be in advance.
Normally there are two non-rent payment weeks at Christmas.

What is included in my rent?

Your rent is a weekly charge for the property you live in and reflects the size and type of property you have. Service charges may be
additional to your rent and could include:

• estate care taking service
• garden maintenance (grass cutting and gardening)
• communal heating
• digital TV aerial
• sewerage

Other charges included in your rent if you have signed up to them:

• tenant content insurance scheme
• community Alarm service

VAT may apply to some of the above charges

Can my rent change?

Changes take place on the first Monday in April. We will provide details of new rent costs to secure tenants giving one month's notice in writing, and to non- secure tenants giving one week's notice in writing.

How can I pay my rent?

You can pay your rent in several different ways:

• by Direct Debit or standing order - these are the quickest, easiest, and safest ways of paying your rent. If you pay by standing order you can choose to pay on any day of the month but, you will need to amend the amount yourself when your rent changes. With Direct Debits we offer weekly on a Friday or monthly on 1st,  8th, 15th or 22nd of the month and there is no need to adjust the amount you pay when the rent is reviewed each year. To set up a Direct Debit you can complete our form online or contact the Income Team.
• you can make payments online through our 24- hour secure internet payments service or via our 24 hour payment line 01493 846117 using your 190 - reference number (displayed on your Rent Payment Card or Rent Income Letter)
• speak directly to the Income Team on 01493 846726 using your 190- reference number
• by payment card - you can order a payment card and use it to pay at any Post Office or shop displaying the PayPoint logo where these facilities are open Speaking directly to the Income Team on 01493 846726 using your 190- reference number

Payment card - you can order a payment card and use it to pay at any Post Office or shop displaying the PayPoint logo where these facilities are open

Help to pay your rent

If you have a low income you may qualify for help with your rent and Council Tax. You can get an application form from our office or complete an online  application. If you qualify for benefit, your rent and your Council Tax will be reduced.

If you get into difficulties paying your rent please do speak to the Income Team who will help. The tenancy agreement you have signed is a legal contract, which  means that you must pay your rent regularly. Your rent is one of the most important bills that you have to pay and if you do not pay you may lose your home.

Debt management and benefit advice

Being in debt can be scary and it often feels that it's much easier getting into debt than it is to get out of debt, but there is help available. If you have problems  with your rent please do speak to us and we will listen and support you.

If you are having problems paying your rent because of other bills and debts, an Income Officer can arrange for you to get help from an independent debt  counselling service. This can help by looking at all the debts you may have, including things like gas and electricity, credit cards, loans or catalogue companies, and negotiating manageable repayments with each of them. This will ensure that you can gradually clear your rent arrears and safeguard your home. Don't ignore the problem, it won't go away and the longer you leave it, the worse it gets. 

Home content insurance

Did you know you can get home content insurance with Aviva through us? For as little as 36p a week you can cover your furniture and personal possessions. For more information, please call 01493 846726 or visit www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/contentsinsurance.
Please note it is our responsibility as your landlord to insure the structure of your home.