5.1. We are responsible for setting your rent. The amount of rent you pay depends on the size, type, and location of your home. We can increase or decrease your rent at any time. We must tell you, in writing, at least 4 weeks before any rent change.
5.2. We are responsible for setting your service charges. We can introduce new services which you will have to pay for. These will be charged in addition to your rent and will be collected as part of your rent. We must tell you in writing at least 4 weeks before we do this. We can also introduce Service charges for services that you already receive. These will be charged in addition to your rent and will be collected as part of your rent. We must tell you in writing at least 4 weeks before we do this.
5.3. Paying rent and service charges is one of your most important responsibilities. Your rent and services charges are due every week and you must pay them on time or in advance. Rent is due from the Tenancy start date on page number 44. If you have difficulty paying your rent, you should contact the Rents Team immediately.
5.4. If you are paying fortnightly, four weekly or monthly, it is your responsibility to ensure you have calculated the correct amount to pay, or to contact us if you are unsure. If your account is not being paid up to date or in advance, you will be required to clear the arrears. If you are unable to do this in one payment, then you need to contact us to see if you can pay an amount above your current rent until your account is up to date.
5.5. There are occasional “free” weeks when no rent is charged. If you owe us rent (called arrears) you must continue to pay your arrears in these free weeks.
5.6. If you do not pay your rent or any other monies owed to us, including service charges, or if payments are persistently late, we will go to Court to ask for you to be evicted from your home. We will also ask the court to order you to pay our costs.
5.7. If you owe rent, rechargeable repair costs or other charges in relation to a previous tenancy from the Council, you agree to repay those arrears as an obligation of this tenancy. You will have to pay an agreed amount each week (in addition to the rent) until all of the arrears are repaid.
5.8. If this is a Joint tenancy, each joint tenant is jointly responsible for paying the whole rent and any other payments due (arrears, chargeable repairs and/or Service charges).
5.9. We can recover all the rent arrears owed on your home from either of the Joint tenants of the property. If one of you leaves your property you are still liable for paying the rent and for any arrears, Service charges or chargeable repairs until your tenancy comes to an end.
5.10. You must not refuse to pay your rent. If the payment of rent is not made by the due date, you will be required to pay our reasonable administrative costs in pursuing you for the late payment. We may take any money you owe us out of any money we owe you. We can also decide how to allocate any payments that you make.
5.11. If you get a welfare benefit, you must tell us immediately of any change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement (for example if your income or savings change or the number of people living with you changes).
5.12. If you leave your home owing rent or any other money, we may pass on information about you to any debt recovery or tracing agency that we instruct to recover that debt. If you leave your home owing money in respect of electricity, gas, water, telephone, or other similar charges, we may pass on contact details to the company to whom the money is owed or any agent acting on their behalf.
5.13. If you ask us to provide you with a rent or mortgage reference, we will do so. You may be required to pay a reasonable charge for us to provide this.