Paying Rent

Frequently Asked Questions About Paying Rent

What methods can I use to pay my rent?

There are four basic ways to pay your rent

How do I pay at the Post Office?

This is the most common way to pay your rent. Simply hand your rent card across the Post Office counter with your payment. You can pay by cash or cheque. The counter staff will read your payment details from the card on their electronic terminal. Details of your rent payment will normally appear on your rent account within three working days.

You can also pay without your rent card using a temporary Giro book or Transcash. The Post Office will issue you with a receipt which you should retain to check off against your rent statement.

How do I use a rent card to pay rent?

You can use a rent card at any Post office or Housing Executive Accounts office and pay by cash or cheque. You can also use your card to pay at any outlet displaying the PayPoint or Payzone sign. The locations of these outlets are displayed in your local district office or Accounts office.

How do I pay by post?

If you are unable to call at the Post Office then you may pay your rent by post. Simply send your payment to your Accounts office, along with details of your name, address and the account that you wish to be credited.

Cheques should be made payable to Northern Ireland Housing Executive and crossed “A/C Payee Only”. Postal Orders are also acceptable. A receipt will be posted to you. You should retain your receipt to check it off against your rent statement

Please do not send cash through the post.

Can I pay directly from my bank account?

If you have a current bank or building society account you can pay by Standing Order. These methods allow your bank or building society to make regular rent payments, on your behalf, to the Housing Executive. Standing Order forms are available from any local office.

We will inform you what you should pay for rent and rates and an additional sum if there are arrears. We will also tell you if there is a change in the amount to be paid. It is your responsibility to tell your bank what to pay us. You must also authorise any changes in the amount to be paid to us by your Bank/Building Society.

Paying by Standing Order

If you choose to pay by Standing Order, every time your rent charge changes a new Standing Order Mandate has to be completed by you and sent to your bank/building society for changing.

The option to pay by Direct Debit is at present being developed and should be in operation sometime in 2009.

How do I pay through PayPoint / Payzone?

Tenants can go into any of the PayPoint / Payzone outlets located throughout Northern Ireland to pay their rent and other housing charges.

Tenants can use their existing payment cards as the payment process in PayPoint / Payzone outlets is the same as that in a Post Office. PayPoint / Payzone agents are provided with an electronic terminal to record the customer transaction details. A typical transaction takes 20 seconds and each transaction produces a unique customer receipt. The service is completely free to customers.

Where can I get further information?

If you require any further information about paying your rent then please contact your District Office or Accounts Office where staff will be pleased to help you.