Housing Rent Direct Debit FAQs

Direct Debit is a simple, safe and convenient way to manage your household bills or make regular or occasional payments from your bank account.

Once your Direct Debit is set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly if we need to change the amount or collection date you will be given at least 14 days advance notice.

Most current accounts at banks and building societies can be used to make Direct Debit payments. Some special deposit accounts also allow them -just ask at your branch before setting up a Direct Debit with us.

You complete and return to the Rent Collection Team. You can download a mandate.

We will forward your mandate to your bank or building society to allow payments to be collected from your account.

The following information will be required:

• your name and address
• the name and address of your bank or building society
• your bank or building society account number
• the branch sort code of your bank or building society
• the name(s) on the account

You will receive a letter confirming your collection date, the amount of your first payment and your payments thereafter. You will always be given 14 days notice before any payment is collected where there is a change to the amount.

It is recommended that you check your bank statement regularly to ensure that your Direct Debits are being paid. Rent accounts will send an annual statement showing your charges and payments.

When your Direct Debit is set up there is nothing you need to do, other than making sure that you have sufficient funds in your account when payments are due.

If you choose to pay monthly this will be collected on the last banking day of every month.

If any payment is made in error, you should contact your bank or building society who are responsible for giving you a full and immediate refund -even if the original error was made by ourselves collecting the payment.

Yes, but you only have the option of paying weekly or fortnightly while you have arrears. You will have to contact the Rent Collection Team to make an agreement for repayment.

If you need to cancel a Direct Debit contact your bank or building society who can cancel up to and including the due date, but try not to leave it until the last minute or you run the risk of a payment being made. Once you cancel your Direct Debit payments it will be up to you to organise an alternative payment method.

Alternatively contact the Rent Collection Team on 01382 307300.