Your rent
Ways to pay your rent
Direct Debit
We recommend setting up a Direct Debit to pay your rent. You can set up a Direct Debit to pay monthly, every two weeks or weekly from the 1st to 28th of each month. Weekly Direct Debits will be taken every Monday.
We collect 4 weeks' rent on any date from 1st to 28th of each month, and you still have the benefit of your 'No rent due' weeks.
Call us on the following numbers with your bank details:
- 0300 300 6652 weekly/fortnightly/4 weekly collection on a Monday
- 0300 300 5186 for the 1st to 7th of each month
- 0300 300 5640 for the 8th to 14th of each month
- 0300 300 6855 for the 15th to 21st of each month
- 0300 300 8418 22nd to 28th of each month
If we are unavailable, please email your contact details to housingbusinessteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and we will contact you at the earliest opportunity.
Pay online
You can pay online using our secure payments service. Please note that payments you have made in the past few days may not show on your account. If you're unsure of the amount to pay, please call 0300 300 8042 or email incomemanagementteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Other ways to pay
You can also pay by:
- phone: call 0300 300 8042
- Allpay card: these can be used at Pay Points using cash or debit cards; email housingbusinessteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to order one
If you're not paying by Direct Debit
Remember to:
- check your balance prior to payment
- check your rental charge
- pay your rent on time
- increase your payments if your rent is increased
- pay on a Monday, if you pay weekly, to avoid falling behind
Have you updated Universal Credit?
From Monday, 7 April 2025, your rent will be increasing. You will need to update your Universal Credit Housing Costs on or after this date; we cannot do this on your behalf. You should have received a letter informing you of your new charges.
It is important you report this change so your housing costs can be calculated correctly.
How do I update my housing costs?
From April, people claiming Universal Credit will be sent a ‘to do’ action by the DWP via their Universal Credit journal called “confirm your housing costs”. Fill in the details requested using the 2025/2026 rent increase letter you should have received from us.
Please make sure you report this change between Monday, 7 April 2025 and the ‘due date’ on your journal to avoid any issues with your future payments. If you report your rent increase too soon i.e. before Monday, 7 April, we will not be able to verify the change.
If you do not have an online account, you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. Remember to have your rent increase letter to hand.
If you have any questions about your rent increase letter or how to report your rent increase to Universal Credit, please contact us on 0300 300 8042.
Universal Credit: Report a change of circumstances (GOV.UK)
Remember
Rent is charged weekly as per your tenancy agreement.
It is important you make regular and timely rent payments to sustain your tenancy with us.
If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for support to help you pay your rent. The benefits available are Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, depending on individual circumstances. You can find out if you're eligible by visiting the GOV.UK website. If you're unsure of what to claim, please contact us on 0300 300 8042.
Every one of our tenants has an Income Management Officer, who will be able to advise and signpost according to your circumstances. If for any reason you are unable to pay your rent, please contact our Income Management Team on 0300 300 8042 or email incomemanagementteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.