Paying your rent

Unless otherwise agreed, your rent is payable every week.

Payments should be made on a Monday for the week ahead, so if you wish to pay your rent on a Friday this must be for the following week.

The rent you have to pay is worked out over 50 weeks of the year.

That means there are two weeks when no rent is due. These are known as ‘rent free’ weeks. In 2010/11, the rent free weeks will be on the 13th and 20th December 2010. If you are in rent arrears you do not get rent-free weeks. You must carry on paying on these weeks.

If you are having problems paying your rent or managing your bills, we can give you confidential help and advice. Click here for more information.

Paying your rent couldn’t be easier…there are now 11 ways you can do it.

1. Direct Debit

Direct debit is a simple, safe and speedy way to pay your rent automatically from your bank account.

Simply contact us with your bank details, or print off and complete the Direct Debit form and send it back to us.

You can choose to pay monthly on the 1st, 10th or 20th of the month.

2. PayPoint

Look out for the yellow PayPoint sign at your local shop, newsagent or petrol station.

Use your Post Office swipe card and pay with cash. It’s free, convenient and a private service – shop staff won’t see details of your rent account. Please keep your receipt.

Click here to find our local PayPoint outlet.

3. Standing Orders

All you have to do is complete the form and send it your bank or building society. You’ll need to put your rent reference number on the form (it’s on your rent card).

Click here if you would like to pay monthly by standing order.

Click here if you would like to pay weekly by standing order.

Contact us if you can’t print out the form or need advice on filling in the form.

4. Post Office

Use your Post Office swipe card at any post office.

Pay by cash or cheque. It’s a free service.

Click here to find your local post office.

5. Telebanking

Ask at your bank about this new handy way to pay.

You’ll need our sort code: 08 92 30 and bank account number: 61492987.

You must quote your rent account number. Contact us if you don't know your account number.

6. Phone

If you have a bank debit card or a credit card, just call 0161 686 8000 (during working hours)or 0161 253 7917 (24 hour automated service) and we will take your payment.

You might be better off paying by debit card as this normally works out cheaper. You may also incur a charge for using your credit card.

You’ll need your rent reference number from your rent card.

Please remember, if you pay by credit card, you may be charged and could incur interest if the amount is not cleared fully at the end of the payment period.

7. Internet

You can now pay your rent online by clicking here. (This will take you to a secure server)

This way of paying means that you will not have to queue at your local payment office, or pay for stamps to send your payment through the post.

You’ll need your rent reference number.

The system is safe and quick. Your details are used securely and they are held in the strictest confidence.

8. Council Cash Offices and information points

You can pay your rent at one of the following Council payment offices:

Bury Town Hall
Knowlsey Street
Bury
BL9 OSW

Prestwich cash office
Longfield Suite
Prestwich
M25 1AY

Remember it may be more convenient for you to pay by one of the other methods.

You can also pay your rent at any of the Council Information Points (card payments only)

Click here for details on the location of the CIPs and opening times (this will take you to the Council's website)

9. Post

Send a cheque or postal order (made out to Bury MBC) to:

Bury Council
Town Hall
Knowsley Street
Bury
BL9 0SW

Write your name, address and rent reference number on the back of the cheque or postal order.

Don’t send cash through the post.

10. Payroll deduction

If you are an employee of Bury Council or Six Town Housing, you can pay your rent by direct deductions from your payroll.

11. Rent Direct

If you are in receipt of full housing benefit this is your form of rent payment, Rent Direct.

Your housing benefit entitlement will be posted straight to your rent account by Bury Council. It is your responsibility to make sure you claim housing benefit and respond to any letters you receive from housing benefit or us.

If you have been overpaid housing benefit, the Council will deduct the overpayment on a weekly basis from any entitlement you may be receiving.

It is your responsibility to pay us any amount deducted from your housing benefit using one of the above 10 payment methods.

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