This section is information on your rent and service charges.
How is my rent set?
The rent you pay for your home is calculated using a national guidelines which is used by all local authorities.
To work out how much rent you will pay a range of information is used including:
- value of the property
- local economic indicators
- number of bedrooms
In 2017-18 and 2018-19 Government have required local authorities to reduce rent by 1% per year. We annually review rent levels and will inform you of any changes in writing in March. A minimum of 28 days notice will be given if we change the rent.
How is my rent spent?
- to pay for repairs and maintenance
- to repay money borrowed to build or modernise Council homes
- to pay for managing the housing service
Ways To Pay My Council Rent & Service Charge
You are responsible for paying your rent in full and on time. Your rent is due every Monday and is payable over 48 weeks in the year. Each year we will send you a rent payment calendar which shows the dates on which rent is due and those weeks which are rent free.
If you pay your rent monthly by direct debit or another means you need to pay 4 weeks rent every calendar month.
Rent calendars
Please note we have not sent Rent Payment Calendars this year as most people now pay monthly via automated means. If you would like a current calendar, please download one or call the Housing Income Team on 01323 443373 who will post you a copy of this page or download a copy.
Rent statements
At the beginning of April, July, October and January we will send a statement to each current tenant to show the transactions that have taken place during the previous quarter, and the balance at the end of that period.
Housing Benefits
Housing Benefit/Universal Credit can help you pay your rent. It is an income related benefit which means the money you have coming in and your savings are used to work out any award. The people who live with you are also taken into account, as is the amount of rent you pay.
How can I check my rent account details?
To request a statement of your account contact the Housing Department using the contact information at the bottom of this page for the statement to be posted to you.
You can also check your own balance by visiting the Access Your Tenancy Information.
What happens if I over-pay my rent?
Contact the Housing Department so we can check your account details. In certain circumstances we will refund the over payment, this is usually done by Bacs direct into your bank account. Requests for rent refunds can be made in writing to the Housing Department or by emailing using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
Service charges – what do they cover?
Some Wealden tenants pay a “service charge” within their rent. This is to pay for any other services like heating, caretaking, communal lighting, gardening, lifts, window cleaning and door entry. We review the service charges each year and you will be informed of any changes.
What happens if I have difficulties paying my rent?
The best way of preventing a build-up of debt is to contact us as soon as you are having difficulties and cannot afford to pay your rent. We will discuss the situation and agree a repayment plan.
By not paying your rent you are in breach of your tenancy agreement and are at risk of losing your home. For more information see our Rent Collection And Arrears Recovery Standard.
What happens if I do not keep to my rent agreement?
If you make an arrangement to clear your rent arrears and fail to keep to an agreement to pay off your arrears we will take action to recover possession of the property.
If you are a secure tenant or a flexible fixed term secure tenant you will be served with a Notice of Seeking Possession. This will advise you that the Council will commence court proceedings if you fail to make satisfactory payments or clear the account.
If you are a non-secure tenant and fail to meet your rent responsibilities you will be served with a Notice to Quit.
If your are an introductory tenant you will be serviced with a Notice of Intention to Seek Possession.
What happens if I am given notice to attend court?
If the rent arrears are not cleared or reduced to our satisfaction we can apply to the court for a Possession Order. You should seek legal advice and attend the hearing.
If agreement is reached on paying the arrears by installments and you keep to the agreement the court may grant us a suspended Possession Order. You may be liable for the costs of the court hearing.
Can I be evicted for rent arrears?
If you persistently fall into rent arrears and do not keep to agreements to pay the arrears we can apply to the court for a warrant to evict you. We can do this if you break the terms of a suspended Possession Order or if the court gives us an immediate Possession Order.
If you have lost your home through rent arrears you may be classed as being intentionally homeless. This could mean that you would not be re housed, you would only receive housing for a temporary period.
Former Tenant Arrears
Former tenant arrears are unpaid debts left on a property after the tenant has moved out, these are usually outstanding rent and service charges but could include other charges such as court costs, if legal action has been taken against you.
You are expected and required to clear all housing debt before your tenancy ends. You must contact us so that we can agree an affordable payment plan which will be managed by the Council’s income team. Failure to pay the debt off can lead to court action. It can also affect your credit status and prevent you securing a new council or housing association property in the future.