Your Rent and Ways to Pay
It is difficult to place a value on living in your own home. However, we believe it is important. We are supporting tenants to maintain their tenancy through our services like Welfare Benefits Advice, Tenancy Sustainment Workshops and everyday direct debits.
We understand that there are many pressures on household incomes, but payment of your rent should always be the first priority as this means you can enjoy a safe and secure home. When you signed your tenancy agreement, you agreed that your rent to Estuary Housing Association is payable every week and all rent is due in advance for the week ahead.
This is especially important if you claim Universal Credit because you will, maybe for the first time, have to manage your own rent payments.
The rent not only pays to maintain all homes, but Estuary Housing Association also offers a range of additional services like the support for the Federation of Estuary Residents, community initiatives and help for residents to get into employment training or education.
We hope you will support our campaign to Keep Your Home.
Signing your Tenancy Agreement
When you sign your tenancy agreement, you take on the responsibility of ensuring that the rent and, if appropriate, service charge, is paid in full and on the day it is due.
You must make rent payments either weekly or monthly in advance, in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in your tenancy agreement. Paying your rent is the most important household bill. If you fail to pay your rent, it can mean that you lose your home, have a poor credit rating and then have problems finding a new home.
Ways to Pay
PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM 1ST JULY WE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ACCEPT RENT PAYMENTS AT OUR OFFICES
From 1st July we will no longer be able to accept payments for your rent directly at our offices. If you usually pay your rent in this way then you will be welcome instead to use any of the methods described below.
If you would like to discuss this with us then please call us on 0300 304 5000.
Ways to Pay
Direct Debit
The easiest and simplest way to pay is by Direct Debit. Direct Debits can be taken any day that is convenient for you and a DD Mandate [pdf] 67KB can be downloaded. Alternatively, a Direct Debit can be set up over the phone. For further help or information, please contact the Income Team or telephone us on 0300 304 5000.
Standing Order
These payments can be set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly and are taken directly from your bank account. A Standing Order Form [pdf] 66KB will need to be completed.
Online
Payments may be made online, either at allpay or My Estuary.
allpay App
Make payments the smart way using an Apple or Android device. Download the free app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
To find out more, visit allpay
Swipe/Payment Card
You can make payments using your Estuary Payment Card by cash or debit card at a shop or post office displaying the PayPoint sign.
Please contact the Income Team on 0300 304 5000 or Income.Team@estuary.co.uk if you do not have a payment card.
Text Message
You can now make rent payments by secure SMS text message. To use this service you will need a UK registered mobile phone, an allpay payment swipe card and a current debit or credit card. To begin making text payments, register at: https://www.allpayments.net/textpay
Once registered, you text a simple code and the amount you wish to pay to a designated number each time you want to make a payment. It really does give you the facility to pay your rent anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Please remember your rent should always be paid in advance or clear whether you are required to make weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. If there is a problem with rent payments, it is essential that you contact the Income Team as soon as possible on 0300 304 5000 or by email: Income.Team@estuary.co.uk
Telephone 
Telephone payments can be made using your debit or credit card by calling us on 0300 304 5000 during office hours, or the Allpay Automated Service - tel. 0844 557 8321* (open 24 hours.)
To use the the Allpay Automated Service, you will need your Estuary payment card. Please contact the Income Team on 0300 304 5000 or by email: Income.Team@estuary.co.uk if you do not have a payment card.
*Please note: Calls to allpay's 0844 numbers will be charged at 7 pence per minute plus your phone company's access charge, which may vary depending on provider.
Recurring Payments
This is an alternative way to pay your rent via your bank.
It can be set up over the phone and all we need is your debit card. This method takes the payment from your debit card on a set date. The good thing about Recurring Payments is that it checks your account on the day specified, and if there is not sufficient money it will not complete the transaction like a direct debit does. The recurring payment will try two more times on subsequent days, and if the money is there, will then pay it to Estuary Housing Association. This method does not add any bank charges and can be set for weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments.