East Suffolk Council
Rent and rent arrears
You can now use our online service for Tenants, myHome East Suffolk, to view the balance of your rent account and the history of payments and charges.
You can pay your rent by monthly Direct Debit to make payment more convenient. We have recently introduced additional Direct Debit dates and you can now choose to pay on either the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of each month.
You can set your Direct Debit up using our online service for Tenants, myHome East Suffolk. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact your Rent Officer for advice on setting up a Direct Debit.
You should allow at least 15 working days for the direct debit to become effective. Direct debit is a safe and secure way to pay. Don't forget to pay your rent in the period between submitting your direct debit form and the date that your first direct debit is due.
Rent arrears
You must keep your Income Officer informed of any difficulties you have in paying your rent. We will always try and help you or offer advice and refer you to where to go for help or addition support.
If you ignore letters sent or contact made from our officers and do not pay your rent, you could end up losing your home.
We will always try to reach a reasonable payment arrangement with you to clear your rent arrears and payment by instalment can be considered if necessary. However, if we cannot do that or if you fail to keep to a payment agreement, further action would be taken to recover the debt which could result in an application being made to court for possession of your home.
The important thing is to get advice before rent arrears become too large.
If you do not take positive action to try and resolve the debt it is probable that your Rent Officer will take action through the court. Last year we evicted 15 tenants for rent arrears, so it is important to understand that it is a sanction that the council will use.
Nine reasons not to fall behind with your rent
- Legal Action could be taken against you through the court to recover the debt.
- You risk being evicted from your home.
- You will have to pay the additional costs of any County Court hearing.
- You will not have any improvements carried out on your home.
- A Possession Order can affect your credit rating.
- You will not be able to complete a mutual exchange or transfer.
- Your priority banding on Gateway to Homechoice could be reduced. Which could affect your chances of bidding on alternative accommodation.
- You could be prevented from buying your home in the future.
- If you are evicted from your home, the council has no statutory duty to rehome you.
Where to seek advice
Free, independent advice can be sought from the following organisations:
- Citizens Advice Bureau - (look under 'counselling' in the Yellow Pages for your local office)
- Turn2us – To understand what benefit you may be entitled to receive
- National Debtline - telephone 0800 8084000
- Consumer Credit Counselling Services (CCCS) - telephone 0800 0279595
We have a dedicated Income Officer, ready to help, if you live in one of our properties. It is important if you are struggling to pay your rent that you contact them. Use our Housing Officer directory to find the Housing or Rent Officer for your road.