• You must pay your rent and other accommodation charges in advance on the first day of each month.
• If you find it easier you can pay weekly or fortnightly but must always be a month ahead when you pay.
• At a very few supported housing schemes the charge is due weekly, and we will tell you if this applies to you.
• When you first move in, we shall ask you to pay for the month ahead, for any amount not likely to be covered by benefit.

It is much easier to get into arrears than to clear them. Paying your correct charges regularly and on time will avoid future hardship.

Financial Inclusion is about ensuring that everybody, from every walk of life, has access to appropriate financial services, enabling them to manage their money on a day- to-day basis, plan for the future, cope with financial pressure and deal effectively with financial distress. Please take time to read through the following services.

Most high street banks are able to provide ‘basic’ bank accounts, which you may apply for. These types of account should be available to the vast majority of people, without having to meet the usual criteria for credit and address history. A similar facility is also available via local Credit Unions who may also be able to help you budget your household income.

We can put residents in touch with local Credit Unions, to provide savings accounts. These accounts are available to all of Orwell’s tenants and could lead to affordable loans being made available, for a variety of purposes.

Local Credit Unions can make affordable loans available to account holders who save with them. The cost of a Credit Union loan is vastly less than the interest rates charged by ‘doorstep lenders’. Borrowing from people who knock on the door MUST be avoided.

Looking at your debts, prioritising them and putting them in order is one of the most important things that you can do, to ease as much financial pressure as possible. A referral to one of our tenancy sustainment officers can help you understand how to cope with unforeseen circumstances.

Understanding how you get charged for electric and/or gas and the rates that you pay are vital in keeping your fuel bills as low as possible.

Making sure your possessions are insured is vital, should you suffer from a break-in, flood or similar problem. The cost of having contents insurance is a lot cheaper than you may think and very easy to set up.

Funding for furniture and appliances is limited and follows strict criteria for applications. We will endeavour to signpost and support with grant applications.

• Direct Debit – Please contact us to setup a Direct Debit.
• Use the Orwell App and/or the MyOrwell portalon our website. Download the app from your preferred store front.
• Credit and debit cards over the telephone (0345 60 100 30).
• Through your bank, building society or post office account.
• Standing Order – you control this and must remember to change it when the rent changes.
• Paying-in slip over the counter – ask Orwell for a book of slips with your rent account reference. If you use your bank’s own slip you must write your name and address clearly on the back or we will not know it is your payment.
• Direct payment to Orwell by the Housing Benefit department – remember this does not always cover all your charges and you must make up any difference yourself.
• Universal Credit payments.
• If you are eligible for any other funding this will usually be paid directly to Orwell by the Council. This arrangement may change in future for some claimants – always check with staff.

• Rent statements are included within a number of our arrears letters to tenants. Tenants are also able to view their rent statements via Orwell’s Portal, My Orwell.
• You should pay any amount owing straight away, and ensure you are paying for the month ahead rather than at the end. If you disagree with the figures, contact your Housing Officer immediately.
• If your housing related benefit has changed, or not yet been paid since you claimed, it is your responsibility to check it out and to pay on time any amounts not included or not likely to be included.
• We monitor accounts regularly and will contact you as soon as you miss or reduce your regular payment or if your housing related benefit stops or reduces.

• If you have, or believe you will have, difficulties paying your rent (or your wellbeing charge in sheltered or supported housing), or you are already in arrears, speak to staff straight away. You can contact us by telephone, or email or if you prefer, we can make an arrangement to visit you.