Customer and Service Users
Paying Your Rent
When should I pay my rent? Rent and Service Charges are due weekly in advance. If you want to pay monthly ask your House Manager for the correct amountyou should pay.
How will I know if I am up to date with my payments? When you pay your rent, you will be given a receipt. It is important that you keep these receipts. Every month Ekaya Housing will send you a statement of your rent account. If you think that we have made a mistake on your account please let your House Manager know. If you wish to have a copy of your rent statement at any other time please ask your House Manager
Can I get help to pay my rent? If you are on a low income or you receive Department of Work andPension (DWP) benefits, you may be entitled to help with your rent by claiming Housing Benefit. It is always worth checking this with your House Manager even if you think that you will not be able to claim. You must make a claim for Housing Benefit and any other DWP benefits when you sign your Tenancy or Licence Agreement.You will also be required to provide other documentation including proof of any income or savings you may have. If you receiveHousing Benefit it is also necessary to renew the claim periodically.Your House Manager will help you to complete the paperwork and chase up benefits.
How can I make payments?• Housing Benefit Direct - If you are on Housing Benefit we will arrange for the local authority to pay this direct to Ekaya. Your House Manager will help you to arrange this. • Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) - If you receive benefits it may be possible for your Service Charge to be paid direct to Ekaya Housing • In person – Ekaya Housing staff will accept paymentof rent and service charges in person at the head office duringoffice opening times. • Pay Point- you can pay your rent a any pay point centre. Your House Manager will arrange a card for you • Standing order - You may arrange for a weekly or monthly standing order to be paid from your bank account. If you want to pay this way please ask your House Manager for Ekaya’s Standing Order Form to complete and send to your bank.
What if I am working and not earning enough to pay all my rent? You may be able to claim Housing Benefit, which will pay all or some of your rent. If you are not sure, talk to your House Manager.
Information the Housing Benefit Department needs identity.The Housing Benefit Department requires proof of your identity,income and other information in order to process your claim.You will be required to get proof from the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) or wage slips from an employer. Your House Manager can advise you on what will be accepted as proof of your identity.
How long it will take? The Housing Benefit Department will give you a time limit within which to provide this information. Although your House Manager can assist you, it is your responsibility to obtain the required information. A failure to do so within the given time will cause rent arrears.
What if your circumstances change?If you start work and stop claiming DWP benefits, you must tell theHousing Benefit Department straightaway. The DWP will not do this for you. Ekaya staff are happy to help you do this. Please note it is important that you contact your House Manager if you have rent arrears. This may be through no fault of your own e.g. as a result of delays in your Housing Benefit. In this instance, Ekaya will not start legal proceedings until the delay is investigated
General Needs tenants need to contact the Rent Recovery Officer to make arrangements regarding rent payments.
Please also see the documentation on Discretionary Housing Payments on this page.
