Rent and service charges
Paying Rent and service charges
Paying rent and other charges on time is very important. If you miss payments, you could get in serious trouble and you could even lose your home. If you’re struggling to pay your rent, get in touch with us as soon as possible and we may be able to help.
What’s covered in my rent?
Your rent helps pay for a all the services you receive from us. The amount you pay is made up of the cost of renting your home, plus additional charges for services you receive. These include charges for things like smoke alarms, grounds maintenance, communal cleaning and general maintenance of the property.
The number of service charges you have will vary depending on the type of property you live in and whether you have any optional services such as the Home Decoration Scheme, Garden Maintenance Scheme and furniture packs.
When is my rent due?
Rent and service charges are due every Monday and in advance. If you choose to pay monthly, you must cover the rent for the whole upcoming month.
Rent increases
Derby City Council may vary the amount of rent you have to pay each year. They will notify you in writing of any variation. This notice will also detail your rights to end the tenancy if you do not accept the new rent level.
Joint tenancies
If you have a joint tenancy, all tenants are responsible for the rent and service charges. If you are in arrears, Derby City Council can recover all arrears owed from any of the listed tenants. This means that if one joint tenant leaves, the remaining tenant(s) are responsible for paying the rent and any outstanding arrears.
Struggling to pay your rent
If you can’t pay your rent, we may be able to help. Get in touch with us as soon as possible. We can work with you and help you find a solution.
If you don’t contact us and fall behind on your payments, we may take further action against you, which could mean you lose your home.
How we can help:
- Help you apply for benefits that can help you pay your rent
- Confirm the details of your tenancy with the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP)
- Apply for an ‘alternative payment arrangement (APA)’ if you are in arrears
- Help you register to 'MyAccount' so you can view your rent account online
- Provide money, budgeting and benefit advice
- Speak to you if you need advice or want to discuss your rent account
- Offer a range of payment options to suit your needs
Benefits available
If you’re on a low income or benefits you could get some or all of your rent paid for you through Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or any other benefit that replaces them.
If your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for the benefits you are receiving, you must let us, and Derby City Council know immediately. You will need to repay any overpayment you receive. We may recover this as rent arrears.
Find more information on benefits you may be entitled to on Derby City Council's website.
How benefits are paid
- Housing Benefit - paid weekly directly to us.
- Universal Credit - paid monthly to you.
If you have moved to Universal Credit from Housing Benefit you must be aware of this difference. It means that, instead of the benefit being paid direct to us, it is paid directly to you as a 'housing costs' part of your Universal Credit payment. You are then responsible for paying it to us for your rent.
Rent arrears
If you can’t pay your rent, we may be able to help. Get in touch with us as soon as possible. We can work with you and help you find a solution.
If you don’t contact us and fall behind on your payments, we may take further action against you, which could mean you lose your home.
Action we will take
If you fall behind on payments we will:
- Tell you how much you owe
- Tell you how much you need to pay and what you need to do
- Make sure you have all the help you need
- Make a fair agreement with you to pay the money you owe
If you keep to your agreement with us, we will not take any further action.
If you don't keep to any agreements, we may take further action which could mean you are faced with legal action which will result in additional legal costs and you may lose your home.
Other implications of not paying rent
- You could get County Court Judgement (CCJ) against your name
- It can seriously harm your credit rating, affecting your ability to borrow money in the future
- If you move home, your rent arrears debt will stay with
Rent-free weeks
Not everyone gets rent free weeks.
Who gets rent free weeks?
- If your annual rent charge is divided by 48 weeks, and
- You are not in rent arrears
Who does not get rent free weeks
- If your annual rent charge is divided by 52 weeks, and/or
- You are in rent arrears
We will let you know whether your rent for the year is split over 48 or 52 weeks when you sign up for your tenancy. If you’re not sure, you can contact us.
What are rent free weeks?
Most of the properties we manage have their rent divided over 48 weeks. This means there are four weeks where no debits made to your rent account. These are often referred to as 'rent-free' weeks and are split into two, two-week periods: one at the end of March/April and one at the end of December.
Depending on the balance of your rent account, you may still have to pay during these weeks.
If you are up-to-date with your rent payments - this means you can treat these weeks as "rent-free" and you can choose not to pay during them.
If you are in rent arrears - you must make payments during these weeks. As there is no rent due on this week, everything you pay will be taken from the amount you owe.
Rent-free week periods for 2025/2026
| Week 1 | 7 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Week 38 | 22 December 2025 |
| Week 39 | 29 December 2025 |
| Week 52 | 30 March 2026 |
Rent-free weeks - Top Tips
- Make the most of these weeks to clear any outstanding rent that you owe on your account
- If you are up to date with your rent, use the weeks to get your rent account in advance
- If you aren't sure about your balance, log on to My Account or get in touch with us
Remember: If your account is in arrears, you will be expected to pay rent during rent free weeks
Rent Calendars 2025-26