There are six ways to pay your rent and other housing related charges:

• By direct debit through your bank. We would prefer you to pay using this method. Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer on 01793 464811 for a direct debit mandate form.
• Using the Post Office payment card at any post office.
• In person Monday to Friday 9.00am-4.30pm at the Cashiers Office at Customer Services, Wat Tyler House West, Corner of Princes Street and Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.
• By post (please do not send cash through the post) with cheques made payable to Swindon Borough Council and sent to Finance Department, Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

• By telephone on 0845 6035058.
• By paying online housing Payment Page

When Do You Need to Pay?

The council balances all rent accounts fortnightly on Friday evenings. In order to prevent your account from going into arrears, it is essential that your rent is received in your account on time.

If you decide to pay your rent monthly you must ensure that your rent account is kept clear at all times. This means that you must pay your rent monthly in advance and not in arrears.  

All tenants wishing to use the Post Office payment card are advised that it can take up to four working days for a Post Office payment to be registered on your account. Payment should be made by the Monday of the week in which the account is balanced at the latest.

If you pay your rent by standing order, the bank should automatically transfer your payment to your rent account on time. If you would like more details or wish to set up a standing order please telephone Bill Swatridge on 01793 464456 or contact your housing assistant.

If you wish to pay your rent in person at the council offices, you can do so any time up to the day it is due and it will go into your account on the day that you pay. Payment at the council offices can be made by cash, cheque and some debit/credit cards.

What are Rent-free Weeks?

The council give all tenants four rent-free weeks each year provided that their rent account is clear on the Friday immediately before the rent-free week.  Details are shown on your rent card. If your rent account is in arrears and you are keeping to an arrangement to reduce the amount you owe you may also be given a rent-free week. If you are going to be charged you will receive a letter advising you of this.

Who Can Help if You are Struggling to Pay Your Rent?

If you are experiencing difficulty in paying your rent or think you may be heading for problems, please contact your housing assistant immediately. He or she will be able to offer you advice and ensure you are getting all the financial benefits you are entitled to. The Citizens Advice Bureau also provides a service that can offer advice on managing your money. You can telephone the Citizens Advice Bureau on 01793 528303.

What About Housing Benefit?

Housing benefit claims are not dealt with by Housing Services, but your housing assistant can assist you in making a claim. You should ensure that you fill in a form as soon as you think you may be entitled to Housing Benefit, since payments cannot normally be backdated.

You should keep the Housing Benefits section informed of any changes in your circumstances as this might affect the amount you are entitled to, and also reply promptly to any correspondence you receive from them. This is important so that you do not lose any entitlement to Housing Benefit and therefore have to pay additional rent.

Rent Account Enquiries

If you have any enquiries regarding your rent account, please telephone your housing assistant on 01793 464811.

Other Enquiries

For enquiries about Housing Benefit, please telephone the Housing and Council Tax Benefits Call Centre on 08458 500962.