Making Payments
There are a number of different ways you can pay your rent to Howard Cottage. Our Rent Payments leaflet explains the options available to you (in Resources section at the top right of this page).

Direct Debit

If you would like to pay by direct debit you can either phone us on 01462 683307 or download the form in the Resources section at the top right of this page and send it to us. If you chose this method you will not need to complete a form each time your rent changes, although we will of course let you know well in advance what the change will be. You can chose the date that payments are made and you can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Allpay Card

Allpay Cards can be used to make rent payments at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet. To make a payment simply present this card together with your cash, cheque or debit card. Alternatively you can pay online via Allpay's website by clicking here. To apply for the Allpay Card, please click here.

Lost or Stolen Cards
If your payment card is lost damaged or stolen, or if you have any queries please contact us immediately on 01462 683307

Your Rent
Your Residents' Handbook has detailed sections about your rent including:

• How your rent is calculated
• Service charges
• Support charges
• How to pay your rent (also covered in the above leaflet)
• Housing benefit
• Rent statements

To download a copy of the Residents' Handbook please see the 'Resources' section at the top right of this page.

Financial advice

Debt and benefit advice is provided to Howard Cottage residents through the Citizen's Advice Bureau.  This service is free to residents and completely independant and confidential. The Money Advice Worker, Shahla Modaresi, holds an outreach surgery at Prioneer House on Tuesdays from 10am til 12 noon.  No appointment is needed.  Alternatively, you can call her on 01462 688012 or email moneyadvice1@nhdistrictcab.cabnet.org.uk The service can help you with all debts and budgeting advice, not just rent arrears, and provide assistance with claiming benefits. For more information please download our leaflet shown under Resources on the top right of this page or visit the CAB website.

Frequently asked questions

How often will my rent increase and by how much?

• Rents increase on 1^st April every year. The increase is based on a government formula that uses RPI (Retail Price Index).

• You can pay your rent by a number of methods. See above for further details.

• The rent is due on the 1^st of every month. If you pay after this date then your rent account will show arrears.

• Your rent account will show that money is owed, as housing benefit is paid four weekly in arrears.

• It may be that you are not paying enough, as there are more than four weeks in a month (except February).

I am struggling to pay my rent and I am worried that I may fall into arrears, what should I do?

• Howard Cottage tenants have their own Money Advice Worker working for the Citizens Advice Bureau who provides confidential and free debt, budgeting and benefit advice and assistance. See above for further details on how to get this help.

• You need to contact your Housing Officer urgently to discuss how you can pay back rent owed before the arrears get any higher. In most cases your Housing Officer will be able to reach an agreement with you to repay the debt at affordable amounts. We take arrears seriously and will commence arrears action against tenants who owe rent and do not enter into a repayment agreement, or breach an agreement.

Housing benefit

If you would like advice on how to apply for housing benefit please contact your local council's benefit office or click on the links below:

North Hertfordshire District Council

East Hertfordshire District Council

Central Bedfordshire Council

Welwyn Hatfield Council

Hertsmere Council