You may qualify for help towards your rent if you receive state benefits or have a low income. Your entitlement will depend on your personal circumstances.
Full details of rent and service charges can be requested by email, post or over the phone.
The rent for each new financial year will be effective from the first Monday in April and we will provide 28 days’ written notice of any changes to your rent and service/support charges where applicable.
If you are of working age and making a new claim for help to pay your rent, you will need to claim Universal Credit. For more information and to make a claim visit the Gov website and search for ‘Universal Credit’.
If you need help completing an application form please contact Universal Credit, the Income team or the Financial Inclusion Team.
You will need to provide supporting information with your claim. You can speed up this assessment by providing the information quickly. You should also submit a claim for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit promptly as any delay will result in you losing money.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit has replaced the following benefits, now known as legacy benefits:
- Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
If you claim Universal Credit, then any housing related payments are paid directly to you monthly in arrears. It is your responsibility to make your full rental payments and to ensure that you pay in advance.
You can set up a payment plan to reduce any arrears so that you can move towards paying in advance. You may find it easier to set up a direct debit to make your rent payments on the day that you receive your Universal Credit payment.
Direct debits can be collected on any date of the month. You can also set up a standing order with your bank on any day that you wish or as often as you want.
If you have rent arrears, then the Income team or Financial Inclusion team may apply to Universal Credit to obtain a payment direct from your claim so that your rent is paid first.
This can result in 20% of your overall entitlement being sent direct to your rent account to pay your rent arrears. This can be a lot of money, so it is best to discuss affordable rent arrears repayment plans with the Income team.
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