Paying your rent

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This page provides tenants with information about paying their rent and rent-related queries.

You can pay your rent weekly, fortnightly, monthly or four-weekly, as long as you pay in advance.

On this page:

Ways to pay your rent

Please continue to pay your rent as normal. You can pay us using the following methods:

Pay online

Paying online is one of the easiest ways to pay your rent.

Pay by Direct Debit

Direct Debit is a secure and convenient payment method where you authorise us to deduct the agreed rent amount from your bank account, at specified intervals. You can download, print and complete the Direct Debit mandate form. Then return it to the address at the top of the mandate.

Pay by standing order/online payment transfer

You can pay your rent through an online bank transfer or set up a standing order to go out at your specified interval. You will need to provide your bank with the Reading Borough Council’s bank details:

  • account number: 00271502
  • sort code: 30-91-31

You must include your 6/7 digit rent number as the reference.

Pay by card

You can use this to pay in any shop that has the PayPoint logo.

Pay by phone

If you call 0118 937 2877, you will be able to pay using a credit or debit card.

Problems paying your rent

If you are having difficulty paying your rent, you should contact us immediately on 0118 937 2784 or you can send an email to rents@reading.gov.uk and include your name, address and contact telephone number, and we will respond within 3 working days.

Falling into arrears

If your rent is not paid, the money owed is called arrears. Rent arrears are a priority debt and the outcome of not dealing with them is serious. It could lead to your being evicted.

Contact us as soon as possible if you fall into arrears. We will need details of your income and outgoings to create a plan you can stick to.

If you do not contact us, we will take action to recover the money. We will add any court fees to the money you already owe. You should also contact us if you are in arrears when you move out – you will still have to pay them.

Contact the court team on 0118 937 2784
Contact the recharge team on 0118 937 2369

Rent-free weeks

There are 3 rent-free weeks in a year except for those on a non-secure tenancy agreement. Rent-free weeks fall on bank holidays. If you are in arrears, you will have to pay through these weeks.

The rent-free weeks for 2023 are:

  • Monday 1 May
  • Monday 28 August
  • Monday 25 December

Managing your rent with Customer Online Services (COS)

If you are a council tenant, you can now access your rent account online via the Customer Online Services (COS). This will allow you to view your weekly charges and any payments made, make a payment onto your account, update your telephone number and suggest a repayment plan if you are in arrears.

If you are interested in using this service, please contact the Rents Helpline on 0118 937 2784 for further details.

If you claim Universal Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is a payment to help with your living costs and it is paid monthly. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or cannot work.

You will need to tell Universal Credit about your annual rent charge by updating your Universal Credit journal. Visit out Universal Credit page for a step by step guide on how to do this.

Last updated on 22/11/2023