Ways to Pay

Our customers asked us to introduce payment cards. The good news is - we have!

All customers (except those paying by direct debit) have been sent their payment cards by post. The cards don't have any monetary value but enable our customers to pay more conveniently anywhere displaying the PayPoint symbol. For a list of all outlets that accept PayPoint click here.  To see the payment card poster please click here.

When you should pay your rent
You should pay your rent every week, although you can pay your rent fortnightly or monthly in advance.

If you receive housing benefits you will still have to pay a small charge every week for water rates and any charge housing benefits make for anyone else who lives with you.  Find out from the Income Recovery team how much you need to pay or click here to work out if you are entitled to housing benefit. 

When a new resident signs their tenancy agreement we discuss the best way for them to pay their rent and help them claim any housing benefit or any other benefit we feel that they may be entitled to.

Rent is due weekly from the tenancy date on your tenancy agreement.

You can ask for a rent statement at any time showing recent payments due and recent payments made, including any housing benefit. We will send you a rent statement four times a year.

How to pay your rent
Thrive Homes offers lots of ways to pay your rent so you have a way convenient for you and which helps you pay your rent on time.

If you want to change the way you pay your rent or want to discuss your payment options please give your Income Recovery team a call on 01923 693840 or free phone 0800 917 6077

The ways you can pay your rent include:

• Direct Debit from your bank account - the safest and cheapest way of paying your rent. Direct debits are a great way of avoiding queues and carrying cash around, as well as making sure you don't miss a payment. The banks only charge a minimal charge which means more of your rent goes on services and they're backed by the direct debit guarantee which means if we make a mistake you get your money back. To find out more about paying by Direct Debit and to download a form click here.
• Direct from your bank by standing order - this is also a safe way to pay, but you have to remember to change your standing order if your rent changes and it's not backed by a guarantee.
• By debit or credit card over the telephone, 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday
• You can also pay your rent on line, free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To pay your rent Online please click here and follow the on screen instructions.
• With cash using a rent payment card at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet.
• By cash, debit card , credit card or cheque at the One Stop Shop, Three Rivers District Council, Rickmansworth or at the South Oxhey area office, Oxhey Drive, Watford.

If you fall behind with your rent you might also want to consider making direct payments from your State benefit. This is only possible if you are:

• in receipt of Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance;
• have arrears equal to at least 4 weeks gross rent.

As well as taking water rates charges and heating/hot water charges from your benefit, the Benefit Agency will also take an amount (£3.25 a week for 2009/2010) towards your rent arrears.

People on direct payments usually make additional payments each week or month to clear their rent arrears quicker.

Rent arrears advice
Please contact us if you are worried about your rent account and making your payment.  We will visit you at home, see you in the office or call us and we'll ring you back to help you maintain your rent account. 

We will make sensible payment plans with you and carry out a financial statement and look at any benefits you may be entitled to. The quicker we engage with our customers the easier it is to help. 

Please call the income recovery team on free phone 0800 917 6077 or email us at incomerecovery@thrivehomes.org.uk

Some helpful numbers
If you are having difficulties, here are some useful numbers.

Citizens Advice Bureau
Rickmansworth 01923 720424
South Oxhey 020 8421 0911
Abbots Langley 01923 267949

National debt line 0808 808 4000
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Credit Action 0800 138 1111
www.creditaction.org.uk

Tax Credit helpline 0845 300 3900
www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Sunflower Centre (domestic violence) 01923 215180
www.sunflowerherts.org

Samaritans 01923 233333
www.samaritans.org/

Nine Lives Furniture 01923 718666
Nine Lives aim to provide furniture to people on limited incomes, however they welcome all customers.  Customers on a low income will only be charged what it costs to supply; meaning simply the cheapest way of furnishing their homes!
www.9livesfurniture.org.uk/

Thrive Homes is committed to working with its tenants and prospective tenants in assisting them to sustain their tenancies.