My Rent

Rents and charges

Whether you are a shared owner or rent your home from CHS, you will have monthly or weekly charges to pay.

Rent and service charges for your home are due on Monday each week in advance (monthly for shared ownership).

Fortnightly or monthly payments are also paid in advance.

There are lots of ways you can pay your rent and we have listed all of them below.

We may call you if you owe rent to see how we can support you. The number you will be called on is 01223 791 080

If you receive a call and are willing to speak to us about your account, press 1 and you will be put through to a trained adviser who will be able to help.

For more information click here

Ways to pay

Check your rent statements and charges via myCHS myCHS

Direct Debit – Payments made directly from your bank/building society account. Choose to pay weekly, fortnightly or calendar monthly on a day that suits you. To set up a Direct Debit or make a change to an existing Direct Debit please call a member of our Customer Service Team to arrange this over the phone. 0300 111 3555

Allpay logo allpay rent payment cards give you plenty of choice when paying your rent and service charge. To use this facility you will need a payment card – please contact Customer Services to request one.

Pay online via allpay

Local Shops, Petrol Stations and the Post Office

Use your Allpay card to make payments at local establishments that display the ‘PayPoint’ or ‘Pay Zone’ logo. These include:

The Post Office
Local corner shops
Petrol stations

Rents and charges

My rent

If you rent your home, the basic weekly rent is set using guidelines set by government policy. This also determines the rate at which your rent can change each April. Your tenancy agreement sets out the rent at the beginning of your tenancy, and the rules for changing it each year.

Rent and service charges for your home are due on Monday each week in advance. Fortnightly or monthly payments are also paid in advance. Check your rent statement and service charges via myCHS Go to myCHS

Service Charges

Depending on where you live you may be charged for communal services. This may include communal gardening, window cleaning, heating, lighting and furnishings or equipment in communal sitting rooms. Where service charges apply we provide a schedule each year showing each charge. Charges are calculated based on costs likely to occur during the year and are set every April. Most service charges are covered by housing benefit, except for personal heating and water.

Consultation

We aim to provide services that you need because you are paying for them. When we propose to alter services we will consult you. If you think the service level should change, let us know and we can consult all your neighbours who would be affected. If you have questions or comments about your communal services please contact your Housing Officer.

Water and Sewerage Charges

Many residents receive their own water bill, payable directly to the water company. Where facilities are shared (eg in a block of flats) one water meter may be shared by everyone – in which case CHS includes a weekly charge in the service charge. The charge is based on actual cost, so reducing water use means lower charges. Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover water charges. However, if you have three or more children, receive certain welfare benefits and have a water meter installed, the “Watercare tariff” will reduce costs. The water company can arrange it for you: Cambridge Water PLC – 01223 403000 Anglian Water PLC – 0800 919155

Help if you are struggling to pay rent

We understand there may be times when you struggle to pay all of your bills, including rent. We are here to help, so do contact us as soon as you think you might get behind with your payments. If you do fall behind, we can make an arrangement with you to pay any arrears off at an affordable rate – don’t wait, talk to us as soon as you can.

We can also make a referral to our own Money Matters advice service. Our expert advisors can help with checking your benefits entitlements, working our a budget, sorting out debts, and about free agencies who can help.

If you do get into rent arrears, we will contact you to find out why and ask you to make an agreement. If you don’t pay the arrears or keep to an agreement to reduce them, we will consider legal action. This would add court costs to your debt, and also affect your future chances of getting credit – and you may lose your home. So please don’t allow it to get this far – get in touch.

More information

My tenancy

Tenancy handbook