Paying your Council housing rent

The tenancy agreement you signed states that rent is payable weekly in advance.  It means that if you are late paying your rent, you are in breach of your tenancy agreement.  Failing to pay your rent can lead to serious action, including losing your home.

Your rent covers the cost of providing you with your home and services, including repairs and maintenance, cleaning and managing estates. It also includes service charges if you live in a flat. Leaseholders living in ex-Council flats pay service charges. To find out more see the documents below:

Rent Arrears Strategy (70kb PDF)

Get In Touch, Not In Debt leaflet (777kB PDF)

How You Can Pay Your Council Rent (546kB PDF)

We aim to provide a range of services to help tenants pay their rent on time.  If you are having problems paying your rent, you need to contact us as quickly as possible.

Pay online

To make an online payment, visit our online payments page - remember to have your Rent Account number (begins with a 9), and your Debit or Credit Card handy.  When using this facility, your details will be transmitted in a secure and confidential way.

If you rent more than one garage from the Council, you will need to make a separate payment onto each garage rent account.

By Direct Debit

Oxford City Homes is encouraging all its tenants to pay their rent by Direct Debit. 

Paying by Direct Debit will save you considerable time and effort. There is no cheques to write, no paperwork or postage and there's no queuing because Oxford City Council can arrange payments for you with your bank or building society. It's also safer than cash and you have a money back guarantee. 

For a Direct Debit form, contact any one of our Council Offices, or download a form below:

Direct Debit Form for a Council home (98kB PDF)

Direct Debit Form for a garage (98kB PDF)

Oxford City Homes Standing Order Form (55kb PDF)

Your bank statement and rent statement will be your records of payment. 

You can pay your home rent Direct Debit from your bank or building society account on the 5th, 15th or last working day of the month.

For garages there is the choice of the 5th or 15th. If required, we can help you fill in your form at any of our Council offices.

By Standing Order

If you would prefer to pay your rent weekly, fortnightly or monthly (in advance) through your bank or building society account then you can go into your bank and set up a standing order.

You will have to give them the following details:

• sort code - 08 90 38
• account number - 61173400 

Remember to also provide your rent account number (begins with a 9). However, you will have to inform them of any changes to your rent payments, such as the yearly rent increase.

At the Post Office

You can pay at any post office in the UK, by cash, cheque or debit card.

If the cash value is over £1,000, more than one receipt will be given for the transaction.

If you do not have a payment card or your personal payment barcode (as shown on your rent statements), you can order a new card, or arrange to be sent a copy of your barcode by contacting us using the details on the right of this page. 

Please allow at least three working days for your payment to reach your rent account.

By Post

You can send a cheque, Postal Order or Banker's Draft with your rent account number written on the back to:

Method	Details
Address	Oxford City Council PO Box 10 Oxford OX1 1EN

We need your rent account number to make sure your payment is made to the right account. Please allow at least three working days for your payment to reach us, and do not send cash through the post.

24/7 Automated Phone

If you have a Switch, Delta, Visa or Mastercard, you can pay your rent by phoning Oxford City Council's 24 hour automated service on 01865 252609.

Please note that a surcharge will be added for credit card payments. You will need to have your rent account number (starts with a 9) to hand when you call. Please allow three working days for your payment to reach your account.

Payment by Housing Benefit

If you receive or are entitled to Housing Benefit, you can ask a member of staff at your nearest Local Services Shop or Housing Office for a Housing Benefit and Council Tax application form for your rent payments to be made directly to Oxford City Council.

However, if your Housing Benefit does not cover the full amount of your rent due and service charge, you will need to pay the difference by choosing another payment option listed on this page.

At PayPoint Locations

Look for the PayPoint payment collection terminals located in newsagents, convenience stores, supermarkets, petrol garages and off-licences near your home to make cash payments towards your rent. If your cash payment is for more than £250, you will be given more than one receipt for the transaction.

Remember to take in your payment card, or a rent statement or other document that shows your personalised barcode, with will be scanned. If you require a replacement payment card or a copy of your personalised barcode, you can order one by contacting Oxford City Homes on 0800 227676.

Taken straight from your wages

If you are a City Council employee, you can have your rent deducted from your wages on the day you are paid. You will need to contact the Rent Team for an application form which authorises Payroll to take the payment from your wages.

More Information and Contact Details

To find out more, contact our Rent Team using the contact details on the right of this page.

Would you prefer to speak to a Rent Officer face to face about your rent? You can make an appointment to be seen at any of our Council Offices.  Alternatively,  if you are unable to get to a Council Office, Rent Officers can make appointments to visit you in your own home. To make an appointment, please contact the Rent Team on the number provided on the right of this page.

Please note that non-payment of rent could result in you losing your home.

Page last reviewed 17 Nov 2008

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