Rents and Benefits

When do I pay my rent?
Rent is due each week. If you keep your rent account clear you will be entered into our prize draw worth £6,000 per year.  You can choose the most convenient way to pay your rent.

1) Direct debit

Direct debit is the best way to pay your rent. It means that you:

• don’t have to remember to pay your rent

• don’t have to queue to pay your rent

• can get up to £20 in bonus payments

• are protected by the direct debit guarantee.

You can ask for the simple application form:

• by phoning 0800 25 26 27

• by e-mailing us

• by visiting any GGH office.

If you would like help filling in the application form please contact us

2) Online payments

You can make a payment using our secure on-line system. You will need your rent reference number and debit card.

3) Telephone payments

You can make payments by phone if you have a debit card. Phone our 24 hour automated service on 01925 443300.

4) Standing order

This is available every month on a date to suit your banking arrangements. Please contact us for more information.

5) By Post

You can pay your rent by post, we accept cheque or postal orders which should be made payable to Warrington Borough Council. Please ensure you include your rent reference and address with your payment, we will send you a receipt for the payment made. All postal payments should be sent to Bank House, 88 Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1RH.  Do NOT send cash through the post

6) Direct from wages and salaries

If you are an employee of Warrington Borough Council, you can have your rent taken from your salary.

7) Allpay

You can pay your rent or service charge at any outlet that displays the Allpay or PayPoint sign.  You will need your GGH rent payment card with you.

Download our leaflet on paying your rent

8) By Text - using your mobile phone
Allpayments.text gives you the flexibility to pay your rent charges using your mobile phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  To begin securley texting rent payments, yo simply need a UK registered mobile phone, a valid allpay.net swipecard and a current debit or credit card.  After a breif online registration (just go to www.allpayments.net) you can then pay your bills on the move anytime, anyplace and anywhere.

Once registered, to make a payment, simple text "Pay" along with the registered text code "Rent" and the amount you wish to pay followed by th etext password which is the last four digits of your debit or credit card.  Its that simple!!

General information?
The amount of money we collect in rent directly affects the level of service we can provide. High arrears mean less money for repairs and other essential services.  We take a fair but very firm approach to dealing with Tenants who owe rent. Our aim is to give Tenants every opportunity to pay their rent and if they have difficulty we will help.

For persistent non-payers who ignore our attempts to assist, we do take action, including court action and ultimately eviction. Help us provide you with a better service by paying your rent charges promptly.

Can I get help with my rent?
You may be able to get help towards paying your rent by claiming Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit gives help towards housing costs for people on a low income or those who receive Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance.  For more information, please contact us

How do I check my rent account?
You can check your rent account on-line.  We will automatically send you a rent statement four times a year or you can request a rent statement at anytime.The Rent Statement details all credits and debits on your Rent Account including Tenants Contents Insurance premiums, water charges and community alarm charges if applicable.

You can also check your rent account balance by contacting us

Prize Draw
If you have a clear rent account you will be automatically entered into Prize Draw, held every three months. There are TEN x £100 prizes every quarter plus a further 10 additional prizes in our December draw and a £1000 super draw in March to be won so it's well worth keeping your rent account clear. The winners are announced in our tenants magazine; News and Views.

What if I cannot afford to pay my rent?
If you are in financial difficulties please contact us immediately. We can offer help, advice and practical support. We can also refer you to our Money Advice Team who will be able to help maximise your income click here for money advice web page.

What happens If I do not pay my rent?
Initially we will write to you to inform you that your account is currently in arrears, we will invite you to contact us to discuss ways to pay. If you do not contact us your Estate Officer will call to discuss your arrears. You will also be offered an appointment with our Money Advice Team, who will be able to advise you on maximising any income you receive as well as help you resolve any other debts you may have.

If we are unable to contact you by personal visit or telephone we will send you a letter to advise you that we will begin court proceedings unless you contact us. You can contact your Local Housing Office or Rent Accounts regarding this matter. For more information, please contact us

What is a Notice Seeking Possession?
A Notice Seeking Possession is a legal notice stating that we intend to take you to court for non-payment of rent and obtain a County Court Order giving us possession of your home. You will be informed of the Court hearing date so you can attend. If you receive a Court date and are unsure of what to do you can contact your Local Housing Office for advice and assistance.  The following organisations can also offer advice and support:

The Citizens Advice Bureau
Warrington Law Centre
Shelter

Can I stop legal proceeding?
Yes legal proceeding will be put on hold if you clear your account or come to an agreement with us. An agreement is drawn up detailing how much you will pay and how often, to clear your arrears. If the agreement is broken legal proceedings will begin again. It is important to come to an agreement that you can pay consistently.

What is the minimum amount I can pay?
If you claim Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or are on a low income the minimum you can pay is your current rent plus £2.90. We will look at your individual circumstances and come to an agreement with you.

What happens in Court?
We will give details to the court of how much you owe, details of any payments received and what we have done to help you pay your debts. We will also ask the court to award us costs, this means in addition to your arrears you will be asked to pay court costs of approximately £200.

We could ask the court for a Possession Order, a Suspended Possession Order or the Court could adjourn the case.

Can I take someone to represent me in Court?
Yes you can bring along anyone you wish to represent you. Both Shelter and the Citizen Advice Bureau can offer you help, advice and practical support.

What is a Possession Order?
A Possession Order, which is granted by the Court ends your tenancy and gives us the legal power to evict you from our property. The Court will decide a date when the Possession Order comes into force, generally 28 days from the Court date.

What is a Suspended Possession Order?
A Suspended Possession Order can be granted by the Court this means that as long as you continue to pay your rent and reduce your arrears by the amount agreed in Court you can continue to live in your home.

How long is a Suspended Possession Order for?
A Suspended Possession Order will remain in force for 6 years or until your account is clear.

What happens if the Court adjourn the case?
The Court could decide to adjourn a case for various reasons this means that we would apply to Court for another date to continue proceedings.

What happens if I break the agreement made in Court?
If we have been granted a Suspended Possession Order and you break your agreement to reduce your arrears. We will invite you to attend an Interview, this is held by the Housing Services Manager to discuss your specific circumstances. The Housing Services Manager will review your case with you and come to an agreement to reduce your arrears. If you fail to attend the Interview or do not reach agreement, we will return to Court to obtain a Possession Order and eviction proceedings will follow.

What happens if I am evicted?
You may be considered intentionally homeless as a result of being evicted, however this depends on your personal circumstances. Our Homeless Section may be able to offer temporary housing. If a Possession Order is granted we will automatically inform our Homeless Section who may be able to offer you help and advice.

What will happen if I am evicted will I still have to pay?
Yes even if we evicted you the debt remains, we will continue to work with you to clear your arrears. If you do not make an agreement to pay we can send your case to our Debt Agency this could effect you ability to access credit in the future. It is important that you remain in contact. For more information, please contact us

If you have out-standing debts with the council you may not be able to apply to join the Housing Waiting List.

If I wanted to make a complaint/comment/compliment how would I go about this?
We welcome complaints, compliments and comments for the public as we see it as a way of helping to improve our services. For more information, please contact us