What is rent and why should I pay it?

Rent is the money you pay to Swindon Borough Council for your home and the other housing related services you receive. It is a weekly charge that is due in advance every Monday and it is the responsibility of tenants to ensure it is paid on time.

You should pay your rent for two main reasons:

1. It forms part of your legally binding tenancy agreement and it pays for the service we provide to you. The rents we collect enable us to:

• Carry out repairs.
• Manage your home.
• Keep your estate clean and tidy.
• Improve your home, eg, new kitchens, bathrooms and doors.
• Make minor estate improvements, bring our homes up to the "decent homes" standard and provide Neighbourhood Wardens.

2. If you keep a clear rent account, you will be able to:

• Transfer to another property if you are on the transfer list and have enough points.
• Swap homes with another Council or Housing Association.
• Obtain a good reference from us if you want to buy you home.
• Qualify for improvements to your home such as a new kitchen or bathroom, when they are planned.
• Automatically be entered into the incentive draw with quarterly reward payments of 1 x £500 and 5 x £100.
• Have your introductory tenancy made secure after 12 months, giving you more rights and security.

Ways to pay your rent

• Direct debits through your bank (monthly on 1st or 15th).We would prefer you to pay using this method. Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer on 01793 464811 for a direct debit mandate form. PDF Version - Council Homes - Housing Rent Direct Debit Mandate
• Rent Payment Card at the Post Office and in the future at local shops with "payzone" facilities.
• Payments at the Civic Offices, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.

• Phone payments by debit or credit cards 24 hour line 0845 6035058.
• Internet, by following this link to payments.
• Post, cheques payable to "Swindon Borough Council" at Civic Offices.

Do you owe rent? We can help

Do you need help coping with rent arrears and other debts? Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer today on 01793 464811, before things get worse. The sooner you talk to us, the sooner we can help.

• We will try and make an arrangement with you to clear your arrears over a reasonable period of time.
• If you have high arrears or multiple debts, then our Tenancy Sustainment Officers can offer advice and support.

If you are receiving Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance, we can arrange for a direct deduction to be made from your benefit automatically, so you know the arrears are being paid off.

If you need help with your housing benefit, your Neighbourhood Housing Officer will be able to offer some help and advice. Alternatively, the Housing Benefit Office can be contacted on 0845 8500962 (local call rate), to talk to a customer services officer, or to make an appointment to call at Wat Tyler West to discuss the matter face to face with an advisor.

If you are entitled to Housing Benefit, ensure you provide all documentary evidence as soon as possible to prove your claim. If you do not provide documents in time, your claim may not be paid in full and could be left with arrears that you will be responsible for.

What happens if I do not pay my rent?

Rent is your number one debt and should be paid first before your other bills to ensure you keep a roof over your head. You won't need to worry about your electricity bill if you don't have your home!

If you do not pay your rent and do not contact us, then we will have no option but to take you to court to repossess your home. 33 households in Swindon were evicted by the Council for rent arrears in the last financial year.

If you are evicted for rent arrears and it is decided that you have made yourself intentionally homeless, the Council has no need to rehouse you, even if you have a family. Other Councils and Housing Associations may take the same view.

Eviction is always our last resort and we would rather help you to stay in your home and for you to pay your rent and arrears. If you are having difficulty paying your rent or think you may get into difficulty, get in touch with your Neighbourhood Housing Officer straight away.

Further information can be downloaded: Paying your rent leaflet.