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Rent and money matters

The Rents Team are here to help you. If you need further advice or information from the team, contact us on 0800 032 2433.

11/03/2013

Controlling your cash with so many demands on your money can be a difficult task. We understand these difficulties and we have a specialised rents team who can provide customers with expert advice on budgeting and maintaining rent payments. If you are struggling with your rent payments, the team will review your finances with you and arrange a suitable repayment agreement.

It is always best to contact our Rents Team as soon as you anticipate any problems with paying your rent so the appropriate advice and support can be provided. The earlier we are aware of a problem, the sooner we can ensure you have the correct support to manage the problem. If the team is not able to assist you, you can formally be referred by RHP to your local Citizens Advice Bureau for financial support and advice.

You can also contact the team if:

  • You are in credit with your rent account and require a rent refund - request form available here
  • You have queries regarding your rent account and payments
  • You would like further advice and assistance with applying for Housing Benefit
  • You would like information on setting up a basic bank account
  • You would like information on the different types of rent payments we offer

About Your Account

Keeping your rent account up to date is very important and we provide you with a number of ways to pay. Rent is charged every Monday and your payments should be made in advance. If your payment is not received by the Friday of the week your rent is due, this will result in action being taken to recover any outstanding rent arrears.

If you are having trouble keeping your rent account up to date, please contact a member of the Rents Team on 0800 0322 433. They will be able to provide you with expert advice on budgeting and maintaining your payments. Please remember that it is your responsibility to pay your rent, even if you receive Housing Benefit.

How are rents set?

A new method of setting rents was introduced by the Government in April 2002. Housing Associations now use a single method of setting rents, based on the same rent formula to give Target Rents. As a result, the weekly rent for all housing association properties is based on a formula that reflects the property's value and the average earnings for that location in the country.

If your RHP tenancy started after April 2002, your rent will already be at Target Rent level. If your tenancy is older than this, your rent may currently be below or above Target Rent level and will gradually move to Target Rent over a number of years. We will provide you with four weeks notice of any increase in your rent.

We will also give you advance warning, where we can, of changes in any other charges which are payable as part of your rent. For more details about rent increases, please refer to your tenancy agreement.