Tamworth Borough Council tenants need to pay their rent weekly, in advance, on a Monday, although alternative arrangements can be made – such as fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly payments.
You can do this via Direct Debit, standing order, online, over the phone, or through various payment outlets across Tamworth displaying the Pay Point sign, such as newsagents, supermarkets and convenience stores.
A great way to set up payment is through your MyHousing account, where you can also view your rent balance, make payments, contact our team and manage various other aspects of your tenancy.
Create your MyHousing account here.
Joint tenants are equally responsible for making sure rent is paid and on time – this is known as being jointly and severally liable.
Payment options
- Download Direct Debit form – this saves us £20 per year in collection costs which can be used to improve your services
- Pay online 24/7
- Standing order – contact the income team below for more information
- Pay Point outlets – free service where payments are taken using your rent swipe card
- Telephone – call the automated payment service on 0345 2307 709
53 week rent year
There will be 53 Mondays in the 2024-25 financial year Monday 1 April 2024 to Sunday 6 April 2025 instead of the usual 52, with the last Monday on 31 March 2025. This is known as a 53-week year which occurs every five to six years.
Why does this happen?
There are slightly more than 52 weeks in a year which means that every five or six years all those extra days accumulate to add an extra week to the year.
How this affects housing rents
Housing rent is charged weekly, from Monday to Sunday. When there are 53 Mondays in a financial year, there is an extra week of rent to pay. There are 4 rent free weeks during the 2024-2025 financial year which means you will be charged rent for 49 weeks. You can pay your rent weekly, or you can work out what you will need to pay by multiplying your weekly rent by 49 and dividing that total by 12 if you pay calendar monthly or divide the total by 13 if you pay every 4 weeks. Most tenants decide to pay their rent at the same frequency they are paid.
If you are in rent arrears, you should either continue to make payments during the rent-free weeks to pay off your rent arrears or pay in accordance with the terms of your court order if you have one. Every tenant was notified in early March 24 of the changes to their 2024/25 rent charges. You will thus need to calculate how much to pay depending on your frequency of payment and if you receive help towards your rent.
Who it affects and what you need to do
- If you receive Housing Benefit this extra week will be covered by Housing Benefit.
- If you pay all your own rent, you will need to cover the cost of this extra week as referred to above.
- If you pay by direct debit, we will calculate your direct debit payments for you.
- If you pay by standing order you will need to contact your bank to instruct them to change the amount you pay from the 1st April 24.
- If you receive Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not cover the extra week of rent so you will need to pay it yourself to avoid falling into rent arrears. You can either make one payment or stage payments during the year. Please contact us and we can help you set up a payment arrangement that suits your circumstances.
If you are not happy about Universal Credit not covering the extra week
Regrettably, The Department for Works and Pension (DWP) only pay up to 52 weeks of rent per year and will not pay additional Universal Credit to cover the extra week. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do, and you will still be responsible and liable, as the tenant, to pay the extra week of rent that the DWP have said Universal Credit won’t cover. Unfortunately, if you don’t pay, you could end up in arrears.
Contact us for help and advice
We know this might seem a little complicated so if you have any questions or if you’re not sure what to do, please call the Income Team on 01827 709514. We can offer advice according to your individual circumstance and help you set up a new payment arrangement if needed. We’re here to help so please get in touch.
Rent free weeks
We calculate the rent so there are four rent-free weeks in each financial year. Monthly Direct Debit payments take this into account.
The following dates are rent-free weeks beginning Monday:
- 18th March 2024
- 25th March 2024
- 19th August 2024
- 16th December 2024
- 17th March 2025
- 24th March 2025
If you are struggling to pay your rent
We will always support any tenant who is struggling to pay their rent to try and find a solution that is fair and affordable to both parties. The key is to get in touch with us straight away if you need help, don’t wait until you are in arrears. Please don’t ignore the problem as this will only make it worse. Court action is a last resort which can often be avoided by working with us.
Solutions could involve helping you with housing costs by looking at benefits or grants available, referring you to other agencies who can help with debt advice, such as Tamworth Advice Centre, or coming up with a repayment plan for any arrears.
Please contact your tenancy sustainment officer on 01827 709514 or email incometeam@tamworth.gov.uk.
For more help, visit:
Legal action
Commencing formal legal action for the non-payment of rent is only taken as a last resort and follows a set process. A summary of the process is set out below, but it can depend on the circumstances of each case. All attempts will be made to prevent eviction, as long as you engage and work with us.
Stage 1: We will contact you if you have missed a payment or paid less than is owed. If arrears remain uncleared, we will contact you a second time to agree a course of action, such as a repayment plan, and offer advice.
Stage 2: If you don’t engage with us, or rent remains unpaid, you will receive a formal legal notice called a ‘notice of intention to seek possession’. This gives you four weeks’ notice of potential court action. During this time, you can contact us to clear the arrears or reach an agreement. If you don’t, we have the right to start formal court action with Nuneaton County Court.
Stage 3: A formal court hearing takes place. After hearing from both parties, the judge will decide on a court order. If they feel an acceptable repayment offer has been made, a judge can issue a ‘suspended possession order’ and tenants can remain at the property as long as they comply with the terms. The council will seek to recover their costs from the tenant – currently this is £355 for the summons. Other court orders that can be made include adjourning the case, or immediate possession of the property.
Stage 4: Failing to comply with a stage 3 court order and failing to engage with the council could result in a ‘warrant of possession’, which will involve bailiffs repossessing the property. A minimum notice of 14 days will be given. To prevent this, you can apply for a ‘warrant suspension hearing’, at court where your solicitor can make your case to remain at the property.
Stage 5: If the repossession proceeds despite the warrant suspension hearing, you will have to make alternative living arrangements. This could involve speaking to our homelessness team, although our further duty of care to you may be limited as breaching the terms of a tenancy means you are likely to be considered intentionally homeless.