Rent and service
charge payments
Everything you need to
know about paying your rent
and service charges.
How we use rent and service charge payments
As a not-for-profit business, all the money that we make is reinvested into our homes and services. Your rent and service charge payments help us to carry out and improve our services, including housing, estate and tenancy management, repairs and maintenance, home improvements, and building new properties.
Pay your rent with a Direct Debit
Paying your rent via a Direct Debit is the most convenient and reliable method of payment and is used by most of our customers. Payments are taken from your bank or building society account automatically on an agreed date.
The benefits of using a Direct Debit to pay your rent
-
1.
It is the simplest and most convenient way to pay your rent.
-
2.
It gives you peace of mind by taking away the need for you to remember to pay your rent.
-
3.
You can choose to pay on any day of the week, or month, letting you pick the date that suits you the best.
-
4.
It is quick and easy to set up a Direct Debit online, or over the phone.
-
5.
It is one of the safest ways to pay your rent as it comes with a guarantee that safeguards your money.
How to set up a Direct Debit
How to set up a Direct Debit
Setting up a Direct Debit is quick and easy. All you have to do is mail us a completed direct debit form, or log in to My Silva and set it up from there.
Pay here - no log in required
It's still easy to pay without logging in
Have your payment reference number handy
Fill out the form opposite
Enter our secure payment facility
Enter your card details
No login required
Other ways to pay rent and service charges
-
1.
Pay using the AllPay app.
Download the AllPay app onto your phone or tablet
To register, you just need your 19-digit payment card number - if you don't have a payment card, let us know.
Email us -
2.
Pay by 24/7 automated telephone on 0844 557 8321.
You will need your 19-digit payment card number to do this. -
3.
Our bank details are:
Silva Homes Ltd, Barclays Bank,
Sort code: 20-00-00,
Account number: 50548359.
Rent should be paid one week before it is due.
Paying your rent must be given top priority when budgeting, to prevent any arrears building up on your account. If at any time you experience financial difficulties, please contact us for advice and support.
Covid-19 update
Claimant commitments that were previously relaxed due to Covid-19 are being reintroduced. If you are claiming universal credit, please be mindful of this and make sure to check your online journal.
If you need some help understanding what this means for you, please get in contact with our rent team.
Rent FAQs
Will my rent be reduced because of coronavirus?
We are closely following the government’s advice, so in the short-term, we will not be reviewing our rent. However, we are continually reassessing our approach towards coronavirus as the government’s advice changes.
Find out why we can't offer rent holidays
Where does my rent money go?
We reinvest all the money that we receive back into our homes. Your rent goes towards all of our services, including housing, estate and tenancy management, repairs and maintenance, and improvements to homes, and building new properties.
Information about how the rent level is calculated can be found below.
Housing Benefit and coronavirus
Housing Benefit has updated its services, to help those affected by coronavirus.
Their phone lines are now open for longer - from 9am until 5pm (previously 10am until 2pm)
You can complete these forms on the housing benefit website:
- Housing Benefit
- Council tax deductions
- Change of Circumstance
- Change of Address
For all other requests, please call Housing Benefit and they will help you over the phone.
We can help you to fill in a Discretionary Housing Payment application form over the phone. Housing Benefit will contact you to verify the information, so please ensure that you tell us your accurate email and telephone number.
Read about Discretionary Housing Payment
Visit the housing benefit website
Rent setting
Your rent is calculated using rules set by the government. There are social and affordable rents, affordable rents are usually set at 80% of the rent that would be charged in the private sector.
Other costs
Depending on the type and location of the accommodation, you may have to pay service charges. This includes your heating, lighting, cooking and hot water, which is paid for in addition to your rent.
If your building has a communal gas and electrical supply, this will be shared by all customers and this amount will be added to your rent. You will not then receive a gas or electricity bill.
You will be informed of any charges that you are liable for when you sign your tenancy agreement.
Rent-free weeks
There are two rent-free weeks for 2019/20, which are the weeks commencing 1 April 2019 and 23 December 2019. Rent will be charged for 51 weeks as there are 53 rent weeks in 2019/20. You don't have to pay rent during rent-free weeks if your rent account is fully paid to-date. If you are behind with rent, you must make a rent payment. If you pay by direct debit, your rent balance will be automatically calculated.
53-week rent years occur every five to six years, due to there being 52.1 weeks in a normal year. This means that every few years the 0.1 will fall on a Monday.
Guide to the cost of living in your home
Please click here for a guide to the monthly costs of living in your home.
How to understand your rent statement
Please click here for tips to help you understand all the information in a rent statement.
What happens if I don't pay my rent on time?
If your account falls into more than four weeks’ arrears without an arrangement, Silva Homes will start legal proceedings. This could result in a County Court Order for possession of the property and you may lose your home.
Remember that once this is granted, Silva Homes could apply for your eviction if you do not stick to the terms of the Court Order.
