Rent

The rent and other charges you pay cover the cost of providing you with your home and services such as repairs and maintenance.

When is my rent due?

Rent is due in advance on the first Monday of each fortnightly period. You can check when payments are due on your rent calendar. The amount you need to pay is shown on your rent letter. This may also include other charges, for example cleaning or caretaking.

There is a cut-off section on the letter which you can keep in your plastic rent card wallet with your rent calendar to remind you how much you need to pay and when to pay it.

You can pay your rent every week or every month if we agree and you don't get behind with your payments.

Joint tenants

Joint tenants are each responsible for paying all of the rent. Even if one tenant moves out of the home, the council can legally recover all of the rent from the person still living there or from the person who has moved out.

How to pay your rent

You can pay your rent in a number of ways. For details see, payments.

Help with your rent and council tax

If you are on a low income, you may be able to claim benefits to help you pay your rent and council tax. More about benefits.

What happens if I don't pay my rent?

Moving out

Any outstanding payments at the end of a tenancy must be paid in full at the same time the property keys are returned to our offices. Keys must be returned by 12 noon on the Monday when the tenancy will end and the Notice to Quit expires. If you do not do this, we will continue to charge you rent until the Monday after you have returned the keys (unless the keys are returned before 12 noon on a Monday). The reason for this is because we will be unable to re-let the property as quickly.

We will take action against any former tenants (or their next of kin where the tenant is deceased and there is money left in the estate) who have outstanding rent arrears and do not make arrangements to clear the account. This could involve legal action being taken and a Court Order being obtained.

Changes to rent

We may change how much rent or other charges you pay at any time. We will let you know four weeks before any changes happen. If you do not want to pay the new amounts, you can choose to move out of your home if you wish. If you choose to stay, you will need to pay the new amounts.

Rent setting

Wycombe Tenants Group is involved in the rent setting process every year. They are consulted about any changes in policy. You can write to them at:

Wycombe Tenants Group
Wycombe District Council
PO Box 2259
Marlow
SL71WW