Pay your rent
Rent statements
Because of the Easter Bank Holiday, tenants will receive their rent statements and 2024-2025 charge letters by the second week of April.
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, please be sure to update your journals as soon as you receive your charge statement if you haven’t done so already. Please remember that in April, only the rent charge changes – the service charges stay the same until October, so you only need to update the rent element.
If you have any questions about your rent account, email the Rents team or call 020 7332 1750.
Your Income Recovery Officers and the Rents Team are here to help signpost any tenants who are struggling with rent payments. If you are having trouble paying your rent, please contact us for help, or contact City Advice. Please also check our online resources to help you with anything from heating advice to help finding a job.
What's included in your rent
- Service charges, caretaking, cleaning and porter service and gardening
- Heating and hot water charges if your estate has a communal boiler. Not applicable on all blocks of the relevant estates
- If you live in sheltered accommodation, warden charges and Supporting People charges
Your rent is due fortnightly, but you can also pay monthly or weekly if it is more convenient for you.
Direct debit
This is the easiest and most efficient way to pay your rent. Once it’s set up, you'll never have to worry about paying your rent on time again. You have the choice of paying on the 5th or 20th of the month and we let you know the amount ten days in advance of the payment date.
Download the direct debit form at the top of the page. This form should be completed electronically and returned via email where possible.
Telephone payments
Call the Rents Section on 020 7332 1263.
Your payment will be credited to your rent account on the next working day.
Internet banking
You can make a payment from your own online banking service. For details on how to set up contact the Rents Section on 020 7332 1750 or by emailing the Rents Section.
Online payment service
You can pay online 24 hours a day through our secure server using your credit or debit card.
Your payment will be credited to your rent account on the next working day.
Bank standing order
If you wish to pay by standing order please contact the Rent Section so that we can calculate the correct payment for you to ensure that your rent account is clear at the end of the financial year.
We will send you a form each time your rent changes and you must complete the form and send directly to your bank in time to start the new payments.
If you have an existing standing order to pay your housing rent that you wish to cancel so that you can set up a direct debit please download the also fill out the new direct debit form above.
Housing payment card
Using your Housing Payment card you can go into any Post Office in the country and pay your rent by either cash or cheque (cheques to be made payable to "The Post Office"). Your account will then be credited with your payment on the next working day.
Payzone outlets are based in supermarkets, garages and newsagents. You can use your Housing Payment Card to pay your rent anywhere in the country, using cash only, just keep an eye out for the Payzone logo.
Direct from your City of London salary or pension
If you are employed by the City of London or receive a pension from them you can arrange to have your rent paid directly from your salary or pension. Contact the Rent Section, on the details above, for a form and so that we can calculate the correct payment for you to ensure that your rent account is clear at the end of the financial year.
Cheque
We are no longer able to take payments by cheque.
If you have difficulty paying your rent, you need to let us know as soon as possible.
Making us aware of your situation will enable us to discuss the problem and advise you on what action you need to take. We can also provide the necessary information for making a housing benefit claim.
Do not ignore your rent arrears, as the amount will escalate and you may put yourself in danger of losing your home. If legal action is started you will have to pay the costs, which will increase your debt.
Should you find yourself in the position of being unable to deal with rent arrears, losing your home or any other debt, you should contact City Advice.
The Rents Section
Department of Community and Children's Services
City of London
3 Lauderdale Place
London EC2Y 8EN
020 7332 1750
Get in touch