Paying your rent
How to pay
To make it easy for you to pay your rent we offer you a wide choice of ways to pay:
Online
You can pay your rent online using your white payment card reference number. Log on to www.allpayments.net
Phone
You can now pay your rent by debit card over the phone. Please call 01803 696 123 during office hours. Also a 24 hour service is available using your white payment card. Tel. 0844 557 8321.
Direct Debit
The cheapest and most convenient way to pay your rent.
- Only one form to complete.
- We update the payments to include rent increases.
- You are covered by the direct debit guarantee against any errors made by your Bank or us.
We claim direct debits on a monthly basis on four payment dates of each month so please specify which date you prefer on the form.
Click the following link to download a direct debit mandate: Direct debit mandate form
Please complete the form and return it to The Trust. Please write your name and the property or garage for which you are paying on the reverse.
If paying your rent monthly is not convenient then a standing order may be the best payment method for you. You can set standing orders up to pay on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
If you want to pay be standing order then call 01803 696 123 and we will send a mandate to you by post. Alternatively, click the link below to download a form: Standing order form
Whilst direct debit and standing orders are the preferred method of payment by the Trust, we do offer swipe cards as an alternative payment option. If you don't have a bank account and need to pay by cash then using your swipe card at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet is going to be the option for you. You can pay rent anywhere that displays these logos.
Your obligations
When you sign your tenancy agreement, you are liable to pay your rent. If you do not pay your rent when it is due you will have broken your tenancy agreement.
We would like you:
- To inform the Trust if you are going to be delayed with a payment
- To read information sent to you by the Trust and contact us for explanation where you feel something is unclear
- To respond to communications received from the Trust in a timely manner
- To pursue Housing Benefit or other benefits you are entitled to that are intended to pay your rent. Click here to see how to calculate your benefits.
- To treat all the Trust's staff with the same courtesy you would wish extended to you
Our policy
In Controlling rent arrears, The Trust adopts the following approach:
- Adopt a firm, consistent, sympathetic non threatening approach;
- Look at the whole picture of a tenants indebtedness;
- Take early action in every case.
- Commence court action if no arrangement has been made to clear the arrears or arrangements have been broken.
- Take legal action where appropriate to recover the arrears
- Make eviction a last resort.
In Prevention of rent arrears, the Trust adopts the following approach:
- Offer to assist with the completion of housing benefit forms. The Trust works in partnership with Torbay Council to verify housing benefit claims.
- Publicise tenant information written in plain english.
- Make personal contact with new tenants within four weeks of start of tenancy.
In the case of vulnerable tenants, the Trust will adopt the following approach:
- Be aware of language and literacy difficulties and take appropriate action where necessary.
- Offer the use of support services where tenants are in agreement.
In our efforts to maximise the income of our tenants, the Trust will adopt the following approach:
- Where possible, attempt to maximise tenants' income by offering assistance with welfare benefits and advice on managing debts.
- Ensure tenants in receipt of housing benefit to have their benefit paid directly to the Trust.
What we will do
If you get into arrears and do not contact us to discuss your situation, The Trust will take the following action.
- We will contact you by phone or letter.
- We will make an affordable agreement with you if you cannot clear the amount in one payment.
- We may visit you – sometimes this could be outside of normal working hours.
If you fail to keep to the agreed repayment terms and the arrears increase, further action will be taken.
- A Notice of Seeking Possession of your home will be served, giving you 14 days notice of the Trust's intention to take court action against you. You should take this very seriously if you want to keep your home
- If you still fail to reduce the arrears owing or clear the account, a court hearing will be applied for.
- You will need to attend a court hearing before a District Judge.
- You will become liable for court costs of at least £100.
- Your debt will be registered in the County Court and will affect your future credit worthiness.
The Trust would seek a Suspended Possession Order if you had contacted the Income Team and made regular payments to reduce the arrears before the court hearing date. This means that you will be ordered to pay the current rent and an agreed amount towards the arrears every week.
In some cases, an outright order for possession is granted, giving you 28 days or less, to either pay in full or leave your home. This will only be requested in cases where you have failed to address the arrears and contact the Trust to resolve the matter.
If the payments are not maintained as set out in the court order, the Trust will apply to the court for a warrant of eviction. At this point our duty to help you has ended. You will then become homeless and may apply to the Council who will investigate your case. However, they may find you intentionally homeless and you will then have to find accommodation in the private sector.
If you contact us early and follow our advice carefully, it will help us to help you keep your home. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free and impartial advice.
Remember, your home is at risk if you do not keep up payments of your rent.
Who is your Income Collection Executive?
Income Collection Executives have specific patches that they look after, please check the table below to establish who you need to deal with:
| Tara Lawrence | 01803 696 125 | full patch | Brixham, Galmpton, Churston, Paignton (North, South and Centre), QED, Cadewell area of Torquay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Addey | 01803 696 149 | full patch | Barton (North & South), Hele, Babbacombe, Torquay Town, Westhill. | |
| Richard Keith | 01803 696 109 | full patch | Foxhole, Watcombe, Shiphay, (except Cadewell area) Chelston. |
