Paying rent
You must pay rent in return for living in your home. This page deals with rent issues if you rent from the Housing Executive or a Housing Association. If you rent your home from a private landlord, visit our renting subsite to find out more about rent issues and housing benefit for private tenants.
You may be evicted if you don't pay your rent. Get advice if you think you may fall behind in your payments.
Who is responsible for paying rent?
The person who is the named tenant is responsible for paying rent. If there are other people living with you in your Housing Executive or housing association home they will only be legally responsible for rent if you are joint tenants.
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How much rent will I have to pay
The amount of rent you have to pay to your housing provider should include rent and rates.
Housing Executive properties
The Housing Executive uses a fomula to calculate how much rent is payable on your home. It awards points based on the size, age and condition of the property and on the amenities in the property. The Housing Executive sets a value for one point and then multiplies the total number of points your home has by the value of one point to work out how much rent you should pay. The financial value of one point increases in April each year. You should be advised of the increase in your rent by writing at least 4 weeks before the change takes effect.
The Housing Executive should not attribute points for any improvements which you have carried out and paid for, but points can be awarded for improvements carried out by the Housing Executive. Deductions should be made if your home lacks any basic amenities.
Housing association properties
Many housing associations set their rents using the same process as the Housing Executive. However, housing associations do not have to use this system and have the power to set up their own system for charging rents. Ask your housing association about their system if you want to know more. Like Housing Executive rents, housing associations usually increase their rents in April of each year.
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How do I pay rent?
You must make sure that you pay your rent in full and on time.
Housing Executive tenants
Housing Executive tenants can pay their rent using any of the following methods
- at any Paypoint outlet
- online
- by telephone (via Allpay) on 0844 557 8321
- Direct Debit
- Standing Order
- in cash or by cheque at any of the Housing Executive's accounts offices.
Since April 2012, tenants can no longer pay their rent at the Post Office or via Payzone.
Housing association tenants
You should be able to pay your rent by calling into your Housing Association's office. Many housing association also offer alternative methods of paying rent, such as
- Allpay,
- Direct Debit
- Standing Order
- Paypoint
Check your tenants' handbook or speak to your housing officer if you're not sure how you should pay your rent.
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Getting help to pay your rent
If you're on a low income or you receive certain qualifying benefits, you may be eligible for housing benefit to help you with your housing costs.
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Dealing with rent arrears
Falling behind with your rent could end up with you losing your home. If you're having difficulties making ends meets, it's important that you speak to your housing provider immediately and get money advice to help you cope. The sooner you act, the better your chance of sorting the problem out.
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Rent increases
Your housing provider will usually increase the rent in April of each year. You must get at least 4 weeks' notice of this increase in writing. If your rent is calculated using the Housing Executive's points system additional points should only be awarded for improvements that the housing provider has carried out or paid for. Any improvements you have made to the property should be disregarded.
The Department for Social Development sets the increase for Housing Executive rents each year. Housing Associations will set their own increase. Your rent can only be increased once in a 12 month period.
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What happens if I don't pay?
Your housing provider can evict you if you stop paying rent. If you fall behind on your rent because of money problems, you should get advice and speak to your housing provider to let them know. Some tenants decide not to pay rent because they are unhappy with the state of their property or the housing provider's response to repairs. This is very risky and you should never withhold your rent until you've spoken with an adviser.
If you don't pay your rent you could be evicted. In addition, the Housing Executive may decide you are intentionally homeless and that it doesn't have to help you because you lost your previous home because of your own actions.
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