Paying your rent is one of your most important responsibilities as a tenant, it is a priority bill and should be paid before other outgoings such as utilities. Under the terms of your tenancy agreement your rent is due each week.
Please make sure your rent is paid promptly and on time so that you can continue to live in your home.
Ways to pay
- Direct Debit - To arrange A Direct Debit please call us and we can arrange this over the phone
- Pay Online
- Standing Orders - Set up a regular fixed payment with your bank
- Smartphone App - Download the free allpay app from the app store to make rent payments anytime, anywhere
- PayPoint (allpay swipe cards) - You can pay at any outlet which displays the PayPoint symbol as long as you have an allpay swipe card. Please contact us to arrange for a card
- Post Office - Pay your rent at any Post Office
- Telephone
Housing online
Folkestone & Hythe tenants can now view and update information 24/7 via the council website.
Housing Online, provides you with quick and easy access to information at your convenience using a smartphone, PC or tablet.
After logging in, the information will include:
- Viewing and updating contact and personal
- Viewing rent balances and statements details
- Making online payments
- Setting up a Direct Debit
- Upload documents
- Make payments
Can’t pay your rent?
From time to time you may experience financial difficulties, it’s important to get in touch if this happens and you are struggling to pay all or part of your rent. We can talk things through, listen to the cause of your difficulties and offer advice and further support on how to deal with the situation. This could include making sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to and helping you to manage your debts. We can also signpost you to other organisations that may be able to help you.
We will discuss arrangements to clear the debt with you so that you can prevent legal proceedings, which could result in you losing your home. If we make arrangements with you it is important you keep to them. We do evict people for persistent non-payment of rent. If you leave your home owing us rent or recharges from damage to the property we will take action to recover the debt.
More information about rent visit My Rent and Service Charges FAQs page
There are also a lot of independent organisations that can offer free and impartial advice
Citizen Advice
- A good place to start for help if you begin to struggle is the Citizens Advice website or call 0344 441 1444.
- You can contact the local Citizens Advice Centre and their call back service on 01303 241435
The StepChange Debt Charity
- The StepChange Debt Charity provides useful information and offers solutions via its online debt counselling service Debt Remedy, or call on 0800 138 1111
The National Debtline
- The National Debtline offer free, independent advice and they have an online service called My Money Steps, or call on 0808 808 4000
Kent Savers Credit Union
- Kent Savers Credit Union is a financial co-operative providing affordable financial services to the people of Kent. It aims to promote saving and provide loans at reasonable rates. Visit the website or call on 0333 321 9050 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm) or on 0300 456 9990 from 5pm to 8pm weeknights and 8am-8pm on weekends
Money Helper
- Money Helper is a free and impartial service set up by government. Visit the website or call on 0300 500 5000
Rent reviews
Rent reviews are carried out annually and are usually effective from the 1st April. The rent is set by Folkestone & Hythe District Council using the Government Rent Policy. We will write to you at least one calendar month in advance to inform you of any change to your rent.
Your rent does not include the following items which you are responsible for paying separately.
- Telephone bills
- Council tax
- TV licence
- Insurance for your possessions (you do not need to insure the building)
Service charges
Some properties may have a service charge. A service charge is an additional part of the total rental charge, for additional services not covered by the basic rent and only applies to your estate or home.
This charge could include items such as:
- Maintenance of communal garden areas
- Cleaning of shared halls, landings, stairs or paths
- Cost of maintaining a lift, door entry system, or laundry room (particularly in Independent Living schemes
- Communal utilities
We will review your service charge every year with any changes usually effective from the 1st April. We will give you at least one calendar month’s written notice. We aim to keep service charges to a minimum whilst also maintaining a good standard of service.
What we expect of you
- To pay rent in full and on time
- To make us aware if you are having financial difficulties and are struggling to pay
- To prioritise rent payments over household bills and non-essentials
What you can expect from us
- A text, phone call, email, letter or visit offering advice when you start to get into rent arrears
- Understanding, advice, and arranging support to help you pay
- Legal action if you persistently don’t pay or aren’t paying the debt owed or the arrangement made