You are responsible for making sure that any costs related to living in your home are paid on time.
Lambeth Council sets the rent payable.
Rent is the money you pay to Lambeth Council to live as a tenant in your council home. All rent payments are due in advance. If you pay monthly, this is also done in advance.
All social landlords across the country set their rents using a single formula. This is called rent restructuring. The formula sets rent levels based on the value of the property, the number of bedrooms and local earnings. On occasions the rent formula is changed by central government.
From 2020, social rents will be adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus one per cent (1%) for five years.
The money Lambeth Council receives is used to look after your home. They are not allowed to spend the money we receive as rent on anything else. If tenants do not pay their rent, we cannot make day-to-day repairs on properties or provide services such as dealing with anti-social behaviour and keeping the estate clean.
The amount of rent charged for your property is usually reviewed at the beginning of each year with any change starting in April. The council will tell you at least four weeks before your rent is going to change.
Rent arrears are what you owe in unpaid rent caused by late or missed or part payment of rent. If you have rent arrears you run the risk of losing your home.
You also have to pay some charges, such as heating and your water rates. (These are not covered by Housing Benefit.)
Rechargeable repairs are raised when a tenant requests a repair which is not the responsibility of the RMO. For example, if a tenant locks themselves out and a new lock needs to be fitted or a tenant leaves rubbish to be cleared from a property they have left. Please see the guidance leaflet "Your right to repair and recharges for repairs"
Please contact the RMO office for an up to date rent statement.
You can choose to pay your rent using any of the methods below:
At the RMO office (cash is not accepted)
Swipe card at the post office or at any retailer displaying the PayPoint
Pay on line at: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/make-a-payment
By using the 24-hour telephone hotline 020 8290 2086.
At the Post Office
Standing Order or Direct Debit through your bank or building society. You can request a standing order form by from the RMO office.
By post; cheques and money orders should be made payable to ‘London Borough of Lambeth' and paid in at
Civic Centre
6 Brixton Hill
London SW2 1EG
You may also book an appointment to visit the civic centre at https://centrebookings.lambeth.gov.uk/
It's easy to keep up-to-date with your rent payments. A statement is available during office hours and will be delivered the same day it is requested. For an account statement, telephone the estate office on 020 7926 0158.
If you are having difficulties paying your rent, please see our guidance leaflets, "Rent: What happens if I get into rent arrears," and "The court process explained."
If you are having difficulty paying or you have fallen behind with the rent or service charges, get advice as soon as possible. Even a small amount of arrears can be difficult to pay off, especially if you are on a low income or benefits. If you are waiting to receive Housing Benefit to help pay your rent, you must let us know.
Lots of people have problems paying bills because of money or personal problems. It can happen to anyone. It is important that you let us know if you are having problems so we can help you deal with them.
We may suggest an interview. This will allow us to:
Details of any actions agreed will be confirmed in writing immediately after the interview.
The National Debtline can be reached at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Lambeth Council also offer benefit advice service at www.lambeth.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/get-benefits-advice
You may also contact an advisor by telephoning 0800 254 0298 or Live Web Chat: www.onelambethadvice.org.uk
We also have Single Homeless Persons (tenancy support) referral and one to Centre70.
Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to? You can use the online benefits calculator at www.entitledto.co.uk or www.rightsnet.org.uk to work out if you have entitlement to any benefits. You can also telephone the office on 020 7926 0158.
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you are on a low income. The amount you get will depend on your income, savings and your family circumstances.
You can make a claim on line at www.lambeth.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/apply-for-housing-benefit
For housing benefit and universal credit advice, please visit:
https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/housing-benefit-and-universal-credit
The council has a limited fund from which it can make discretionary housing payments (DHPs). DHPs can be made to people who receive housing benefit but who need extra help with their housing costs. In Lambeth these costs are administered by Lambeth Benefit Service, which considers each request on an individual basis.
You can make a claim for DHP at www.lambeth.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/apply-for-a-discretionary-housing-payment-dhp
Check with the Inland Revenue that your tax code is correct for your circumstances. You can enquire online at www.hmrc.gov.uk
You may also be able to save money by switching to better deals on a range of goods and services.
Please contact Repower London for specialist advice.
Phone: 020 3674 7519
Email: support@repowering.org.uk
Website: www.repowering.org.uk
You may also compare prices when you buy goods on a website such as https://www.kelkoo.co.uk/ or www.pricerunner.com to make sure you always get the cheapest price.
If you cannot pay off the whole of what you owe us in one go we can arrange for you to pay by instalments with an agreed amount. This agreement will be on top of your rent each week.
Joining a credit union may also be an option you could consider. Credit unions encourage members to save and give them access to borrowing at reasonable rates of interest. You can usually borrow two or three times what you have saved.
For more information please visit https://creditunion.co.uk/
If is often difficult to pay everything you need at once. This is why you need to prioritise your debts. You should pay the most important ones first, and the less important ones in small instalments.
- Rent or service charges
- Mortgages or loans secured on your home
- Gas, electricity etc.
- Magistrates fines for criminal offences
- Child support
Some tenants have to pay back money to the government for claiming more Housing Benefit than they should this can be costly. However as long as the extra housing benefit was received by accident (rather than on purpose) it may be possible to reduce the amount of instalments.
Centre 70
46 Knights Hill
West Norwood
London SE27 0JD
Phone: 020 8670 0070
Email: enquiries@centre70.org.uk
Website: www.centre70.org.uk
JobCentre Plus
For welfare benefit claims for people of working age, contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus.
Email: www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Pension Service
For pension credit enquiries and enquiries about other benefits for people of retirement age visit: www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Community Legal Services
They will direct you to the nearest agency that can help you and will also be able to direct you to free legal advice under the legal aid scheme if you qualify for this help. You can call them on 0845 345 4345 or online at www.clsdirect.org.uk
Age Concern
Third Floor
336 Brixton Road
London SW9 7AA
Lambeth Citizen's Advice Bureau
https://onelambethadvice.org.uk/advice_guide/citizens-advice-bureau/
Lambeth Law Centre
Unit 4 The Co-op Centre
11 Mowll Street
London SW9 6BG
Phone: 020 7840 2000
Email: admin@lambethlawcentre.org
Age UK
Department of Work and Pensions
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Disability advice service Lambeth
We are 336
Carers' Hub Lambeth
updated 20/09/2019