Paying Your Rent
Your rent is the weekly charge for your home. In some cases the rent might include a service charge for communal services such as cleaning, lighting corridors and providing services such as communal TV aerials.
There may also be a charge for your utilities such as water rates or electricity. This is generally if you live in a shared house or one of the BHT Sussex leased properties.
Your tenancy agreement will outline the rent you pay. The rent and service charges change annually and we will write to you with at least one month’s notice before the rent is increased or decreased. You are also sent a rent statement every quarter which outlines the amount you are required to pay. The rent, service charges, water and electricity charges change annually.
If you do not know what you need to pay, please contact our Income Recovery Officers or your Housing Officer.
How do I pay my rent?
You can pay your rent in one of the following ways:
Direct Debit
This is the most convenient way to pay your rent.
Your bank will automatically transfer your correct rent to us on a fixed date and you don’t have to worry about missing a payment. To set up a direct debit please contact us. We can set one up over the phone or by sending you a paper direct debit mandate.
Each month, tenants who have set up a direct debit during that month will be entered into a prize draw.
BHT Sussex rent payment card
You can use your BHT Sussex rent payment card from Allpay to pay your rent at any Post Office or shop displaying a Pay Point or Pay Zone sign.
If you have lost your card please contact us to order a new one. Payment made in this method take around three working days to reach your rent account.
Standing Order
A standing order is an arrangement you make with your bank to pay BHT Sussex a set amount on a regular basis.
Unlike direct debits, you are responsible for altering the amount to be paid to us if your rent or service charges change. You will need your payment reference and BHT Sussex’s bank details to set this up with your bank.
Please contact us for further information.
By Phone
If tenants don’t want to pay at local paypoint or post office they can still telephone the automatic payment line to pay over the phone using their debit card and their Allpay card using the 19 digit number to access their account.
How it works
Allpay’s Telephone Payment system uses Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to enable you to make bill payments over an automated telephone system.
You simply need to call the number provided from any landline or mobile telephone. All you need to make a payment is a valid debit/credit card and your Allpay swipe card.
This service works in complete harmony with all other payment methods from Allpay and is available to use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To make a payment to Allpay by phone, call 0330 041 6497.
How will this benefit you?
A fast and easy way to pay, enabling you to simply pick up the phone to make a bill payment at any time.
The payment process is simple, with guidance throughout, and there’s no need for you to register prior to using this service.
You will also benefit from the added reassurance of customer service assistance, available during office hours.
Bank Transfer
You can pay through internet or telephone banking using your payment reference and our bank details.
If you have a chip and pin card you can also pay over the counter at your bank using your payment reference and BHT Sussex’s bank details.
Reminder: You will need your Tenancy Reference to be included in the payment reference so the money can be credited to the correct account. BHT Sussex bank details alone won’t suffice.
If you start to experience problems paying your rent please contact us immediately so that we can help you before the debt gets out of hand.
Our Income Recovery and Housing Officers are able to provide advice and support to resolve the situation and can signpost you to specialist debt advice agencies that can help you further. We can also refer you to local foodbanks or other services that can help you in an emergency.
Please do not ignore any letters about your rent as the sooner you contact us, the more help we can offer.
If you have a low income or are not working you may be eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to pay some or all of your rent.
Please contact us for further information about this. We can help you fill out the forms and can assist with application for direct payments of rent to us.
Our Income Recovery Officers are able to assist all tenants with any queries relating to rent accounts and benefits.
Please contact Traci Brooks on 07834979019 or traci.brooks@bht.org.uk or Shirley Campbell on 07826868957 or shirley.campbell@bht.org.uk for advice about your rent account.
Reminder: You will need your Tenancy Reference to be included in the payment reference so the money can be credited to the correct account. BHT Sussex bank details alone won’t suffice.
BHT Sussex's Bank Details
Please contact an Income Recovery Officer who can send you the correct bank details to use: