
Why set up a Direct Debit with us?
How do you set up a Direct Debit?
What do you need to set up a Direct Debit?
Please take the above documents to your meeting with your scheme/home manager as they will need to take copies. This is necessary to avoid any unauthorised transactions and is the same process used in banks and building societies. Documentation is kept secure and confidential.
World pay is our online payment method for debit/credit cards.
To pay by this method you can either see your scheme or home manager or call the Finance Team on 01323 875240 selecting Option1, then Option 3. Please have your card details to hand when you call.
To pay by standing order you have to set it up yourself with your bank and make any changes required at a later date.
We have a standard form that your scheme or home manager can give you to make the application easier. If you have any queries about your account you can contact the Finance Team in the first instance on 01323 875240 selecting Option1, then Option 3.
We send rent statements to all our residents twice a year. In October for the period up to September 30th and in April for the period up to March 31st. This keeps you informed on the position of your account and allows you to check that we have recorded all payments made and charges due.
Resident – this is your personal record ID. It is helpful if you can quote this when you contact us, it helps us look up your account more quickly.
Property – this is the system ID for your room or flat/bungalow. This can change if you move to one of our other properties.
Transaction glossary:
Service charges are the way we as your landlord/freeholder are reimbursed for the costs we incur in providing services to you. These services will be charged in addition to any rent but may be collected as a single payment.
The costs that are covered by service charges differ between tenants paying rent and leaseholders. Leaseholders are generally charged all the costs of running their scheme explicitly in the service charges. Service charges to tenants who rent their home do not contain all the costs as some are deemed to be covered by the rent they pay.
The following is a list of the costs that would be included in service charges, however it is not exhaustive:
1. Scheme Manager
2. Communal services (this is only where communal facilities exist, for example, communal boiler, single electricity meter).
3. Repairs and maintenance
Boilers (this is not in the tenants service charge as the cost is included in the rent)
Lifts
Fire alarms and emergency lighting
Legionella tests
PAT testing
Fire risk assessment
4. Professional services
Service charges are set annually. The budget for the next financial year, starting 1st April, is agreed in January, service charge calculations are part of this process.
The charges set are formally notified to tenants and leaseholders in February in order to give the required period of notice before they become effective.
For Tenants the date on which they start to pay the new charges will depend on the rent review date in their tenancy agreement. Leasehold charges change on April 1st.
Service charges for tenants are fixed, that means that we do not make allowance in the following year for any under/overspend against the previous year’s budget charge. Service charges for leaseholders are adjusted for any under/overspend against the budget charge in the next available year as required by their lease.
Our tenants are not normally invited to participate in the routine service charge setting process. If there is some major change anticipated at a scheme the residents would be consulted on how this might affect them.
Leaseholders have a right to be involved in the process and we hold a budget meeting at each scheme in December to discuss the new year’s charges.
Not paying these charges is a serious matter and could result in you loosing your home.
We're here to help if you're having problems paying your rent, service charge or care home fee, please talk to us as soon as possible. There may be arrangements we can make to support you.
First you should tell us if you are having problems paying us. Please don't ignore the problem.
We have a dedicated officer who will meet with you to talk through your circumstances and they will check whether you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to. If there are extra benefits available to you, we can support you in getting these.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss any money worries Call 01323 875240, email: office@sussexhousing.org.uk or complete the online 'contact us' form
We will get in touch with you if you miss a rent, service charge or care home fees payment to remind you about the amount you owe. It's likely that we will also write to you to tell you about this.
Please contact us to tell us how you are going to arrange to pay the arrears. We have arrears policies, see below, that show in more detail what will happen if you do not meet your payments.
Rent Arrears Policy v4 2018 [pdf] 527KB
Care home fees arrears and recovery policy v1 2018 [pdf] 493KB
Here are some useful websites which give information and advice about paying for your rent, service charge or care home fee.