Check if you can apply for Housing Benefit or discretionary payments if you're struggling to pay your housing rent
As a council tenant you must pay your rent in advance. If you pay your rent weekly, you must pay a week in advance. If you pay monthly, then you must pay a month in advance. This is part of your tenancy agreement.
The easiest way to pay is by monthly direct debit. You can pay on the 1st or the 15th of each month. You can find out about other ways to pay your housing rent.
We will send your quarterly rent statements in the post or you can access your rent statement at any time by using your Housing Online account.
If you are struggling to pay your rent, get in touch with the Housing Income Management Team for advice and support. We are here to help and can:
discuss your situation and work with you to make a suitable payment plan
provide you with support to apply for Housing Benefit or apply for Universal Credit
Signpost you to independent advice services, including money and debt advice
You can contact us by:
phone on 01273 293 224
sending an email to Housing.Income@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Our telephone lines operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. A same day call back service is in operation during these times, so please leave a message if you would prefer a call back.
If you are on a low income you may qualify for help with your housing costs by applying for Housing Benefit or applying for Universal Credit. You may also be able to apply for a discretionary payment.
You should also check if you qualify for Council Tax Reduction.
Please visit the council’s cost of living webpages for support available locally, including help with accessing food banks, energy bills and how to look after your health and wellbeing and those that you care for.
If you require debt advice, you can contact the Housing Income Management Team for a referral to our specialist debt advice partners, Money Advice Plus.
We will make every effort to contact you to discuss your arrears and try to make an agreement to help you sustain your tenancy.
If you fail to keep to the agreement or do not make payments to clear your arrears, we will take legal action to recover the arrears which may mean you lose your home.