Your rent is important to us. Without it we could not provide the services we do or pay for improvements.
Cestria Community Housing uses guidelines set out by the Government and fixes the level of rent you pay. When your rent is calculated, the guidelines consider the size and value of your home, its location and local earnings. This figure is called a ’formula rent’. The formula rent is used to decide how much rent all social landlords can charge.
At the start of your tenancy we will tell you how much your weekly rent is and how much water rates or other service charges are. We review rent every year and will always write to you giving you at least 4 weeks notice before any increase takes effect.
Rent is due every Monday and you should make sure we receive all rent by the day it is due. You may make arrangements to pay fortnightly or monthly but payments must be made in advance.
We will send you a rent statement four times a year. You should make every effort not to fall behind with your rent. If you do you are in danger of losing your home.
If you are worried about being able to make your rent payments on time please contact us. We will be able to offer help and advice.
Water rates and service charges
Cestria Community Housing collects water rates on behalf of Northumbrian Water. These are charged each week alongside your rent.
If you receive any of the services detailed below, you will pay a charge for these as well as your rent. These services might be:
- Heating
- Furniture Package
- Communal Area Services
- Communal Facilities
A complete breakdown of the service charges is given in the notice we send you every year about the rent increase. Even if you are in receipt of full housing benefit you will still need to pay your water rates and heating charges weekly.