Ways to pay your rent

There are various ways you can pay your rent, please see below for details of each method. Please see the Schedule of Payments for details of when you rent is due.

Please make sure that the payment method you choose reaches us in advance or on the due date. Please remember that payments can take up to 5 days to reach your account.

1 By Direct Debit

This is usually the easiest to pay your rent. Once set up, there are no cheques to write, no cash to handle, no postage or queuing.

Payments are regularly collected from your bank or building society account. You can choose either the 1st or the 15th of the month.

You are free to cancel at any time and we will let you know at least 14 days in advance of any changes, giving you total control over the amounts we collect.

You are totally protected by the national Direct Debit Indemnity Scheme. You are guaranteed an immediate and full refund in the unlikely event of an error.

Contact the Income Management team on 01245 613014 for more information or download a direct debit form and return it to CHP.

2 Standing Order

This is where you instruct you bank or building society to pay fixed and regular amounts to CHP.

You choose how much and how often to pay. You can also choose which day of the week or month to make the payment. Please note payments must be advanced.

You must provide your bank or building society with the following information. The name of who you want to pay is CHP. The bank sort code is 60 05 13. The bank account number is 20889348. The branch address is NatWest at 4-5 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1FZ.

Please instruct your bank or building society to quote your rent reference number so that we can identify your payment.

3 At any Post Office

You can pay by cheque, cash, or debit card at any Post Office in England using your rent payment swipe card.

Please remember that it can take up to five days for these payments to reach CHP.

CHP will provide you with the first two rent payment swipe cards free of charge. Any additional card will be charged at £20 each.

4 At any PayPoint outlet

You can pay by cash or debit card (but not by cheque) at any PayPoint in England using your rent payment swipe card.

Paypoint outlets include the Co-op, Somerfields, Spar, BP and Texaco garages. Others may be available. These outlets are conveniently located and often for extended hours into the evening. Some garages are now open 24 hours.

You can find your local PayPoint by inserting your post code in the PayPoint web site: http://www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.htm

CHP will provide you with the first two rent payment swipe cards, free of charge. Any additional card will be charged at £20 each.

5. Internet or home banking

If you have access to the internet, you can pay rent from home 24 hours a day. You can then use one of the following options.

1. If you have home banking facilities, you can instruct your bank to make regular or one off payments to CHP. You must provide your bank or building society with the following information. The name of who you want to pay is CHP. The bank sort code is 60 05 13. The bank account number is 20889348. The branch address is NatWest at 4-5 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1FZ. Please instruct your bank or building society to quote your rent reference number so that we can identify your payment.

2. If you have a rent payment swipe card, you can make payments using the BillPay web site. Please have your debit or credit card details and swipe card to hand. You will need to set up your payment preferences during this initial set up.

6. Cheque

You can deliver a cheque to our town centre office site at Atholl House, 65A Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1LW. Please note that cash cannot be accepted at Atholl House.

You can pay your rent by sending us a cheque, made payable to "Chelmer Housing Partnership Ltd". Please write your rent reference number or address on the back of the cheque so that we can identify your payment.

Send your cheque to CHP at Myriad House, 23 Springfield Lyons Approach, Chelmsford, CM2 5LB.

Please do not send cash in the post.

7. Debit / Credit Card

Debit / credit card payments can be made from our Chelmsford town office at Atholl House or over the telephone to either the Income Management team or the Customer Service Centre on 0845 155 3000.

Please have your debit / credit card and your rent reference number / address to hand when making these payments.

Please note that due to transaction costs, the minimum payment by direct/credit card is £10.

8. Housing Benefit

If you are entitled to housing benefit from your local council, it is generally forwarded to CHP, please contact the council and ask them to arrange this for you.