Information for new tenants

Paying your rent

Your rent is payable from the day that your tenancy starts, this exact date should be stated on your tenancy agreement, along with the amount that you need to pay. 

There are various ways to pay your rent.  It is extremely important that you pay your rent on time, if you don't, you could risk losing your home.

Housing benefit

Housing benefit is paid from the date that you move in to your property, and will be paid directly to your rent account. We can only process changes that we know about so please Tell us about a change.

If we are not notified, you may have to pay back any benefit that has been overpaid to you.

Utilities (gas, electric etc) 

You will need to contact us to arrange a gas 'turn on and test' when you move into your property, as the gas will have been turned off when the previous tenant moved out.

Please be aware that we do not arrange your gas and electric suppliers for you.  It is up to you to contact the utility company of your choice to arrange this. You will also need to contact the water authority and phone / broadband suppliers if you are connecting a land line in your property.

Home insurance

Many housing customers believe that we automatically insure their furniture, belongings and decorations against fire, theft, vandalism or water damage such as burst pipes. Unfortunately this is not the case and some tenants only realise this after the damage has been done. We make it easy for you to insure your belongings under a household contents insurance scheme. (PDF, 127 KB) (opens new window). 

Tenants Contents Insurance Scheme application

Reporting repairs

Any urgent repairs that needed carrying out should have been identified or carried out before you moved into your property. Report a repair. 

Neighbourhood Co-ordinator visits

During the first year of your tenancy you will receive three visits from your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, mainly to check that the conditions of your tenancy are being followed. This is also an opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

If you need to speak to your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator in between visits, please don't hesitate to contact them for an informal chat.