Your rent charge is applied every Monday and must be paid in advance. You can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
We will send you a rent account statement every three months, showing your weekly rent and the amount you have paid. This will include any rent owed or credit on your rent account.
We strongly recommend, at the start of your tenancy, that you set up a Direct Debit to stay on top of your rent payments.
Rent, payments and service charges
About your rent
Ways to pay your rent
You can pay your rent, garage and other housing charges in several ways.
You will need your 13-digit rent account number to make a rent payment.
Pay online
With a debit or credit card
You can also pay online at any time with a debit or credit card. If you are unable to do this, you can call the Rent Accounting Team on 020 8937 2400 or use one of the alternative ways to pay.
If you are in a public place we strongly advise you make sure you are not overlooked as you enter your details to prevent them being misused by somebody else.
Through My Account
It’s quick and easy to make your rent payments using your online account. Log in to My Account, check your balance and make a payment.
Make a rent payment
Don’t have an online account?
Creating an account is easy and only takes a couple of minutes. All you need to get started is an email address, to use as a login. We will then send you details on how to activate your account.
The first time you want to access your tenant services account, you will need your rent account reference number (pay ref). This can be found on your rent statement or by calling 020 8937 2400. You only need to do this the first time you visit.
Register to My Account
Direct Debit
Direct Debit is a quick and easy way to pay your rent or charges automatically each month.
You are also protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, which promises that you will get your money back straight away if anything goes wrong.
Setting up a Direct Debit
You can set up a Direct Debit online at any time, using My Account. To do this you will need:
- 13-digit rent account number
- bank name
- bank account number
- bank sort code
- name as it appears on your bank account
Once you have set up My Account, you can also check your balance and make changes to your account.
Please call, 020 8937 2400 and ask for Rent Accounting if you have any questions about setting up a Direct Debit.
You can also use one of the online direct debit application forms below.
What happens next
We’ll send you a confirmation email to let you know we’ve received your application.
It can take up to 10 days for us to set up your Direct Debit so you may need to make payments using another method. When it's set up, you'll get a replacement bill showing when your payments will be taken.
Pay by standing order
You can set up a regular standing order through your bank account.
Download a Standing Order form to pay your council or garage rent.
Whether you pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, you must pay the rent in advance. If your rent changes, you must let the bank know the new amount to be taken out.
Pay by phone
Call our automated payment system on 020 8937 1717 and pay using any debit or credit card. Note: phone charges may apply.
In person
You can pay your rent at any:
PayPoint outlet: take your rent invoice to any shop showing the PayPoint symbol. Payments must be in cash but there are no extra fees.
Post Office: pay by cash, cheque or debit card at any Post Office. Please remember to take your rent invoice with you.
Having problems paying your rent
Your rent is one of the most important payments you need to make.
If you start to fall behind with your rent, don’t ignore it. There are many reasons why you might struggle to pay. Contact us straight away by calling 020 8937 2400 and ask to speak to the Housing Income Team. One of our income officers will be there to help.
If you are receiving Universal Credit you can request for your rent payments to be made directly to your rent account.
To do this you can:
- call the universal credit helpline on 0800 328 5644
- ask your DWP ‘work coach’ through your online journal or at an appointment.
You can also do this when you apply for universal credit or at any point during your claim.
Read more about benefits you can apply for and advice on how to manage your debts
What happens if you don’t pay your rent
If you do not pay your rent, you could risk losing your home.
You must tell us if your circumstances change and it affects your ability to pay your rent. If you miss a payment, your income officer will contact you. They will work with you to arrange a repayment plan or help you to access money support and advice.
Understanding service charges and other costs
If you live in a block of flats or on an estate, you will have to pay service charges to cover the costs for any caretaking, security and maintenance services provided by Brent Housing Management. This can include:
- cleaning communal areas
- grounds maintenance
- communal heating
- communal lighting, in halls and stairways for example
We're committed to providing all our tenants with value for money, quality services and do not make a profit from any service charges we collect.
Changes to your rent and service charges
Your rent year runs from April to March.
We review rent and service charges every year. If the amount you need to pay changes, we will write to you four weeks before the change is due to tell you how much your new rent and services charges will be for the coming year.