If you're a Council tenant, you need to pay your rent in advance every week.
You can arrange to pay your rent every fortnight or every month, in advance, if this is how you prefer to make your payments. You should contact your Neighbourhood Housing Office if you choose to pay outwith the normal weekly pattern.
Annual rent is paid over 48 weeks, with four free weeks. However, if your rent is in arrears, you should continue to make payments during the free weeks to reduce your arrears balance.
A large amount of rent goes into repairing and upgrading our tenants’ homes. As a result, failure to pay your rent limits the amount of money we have available to carry out the repairs and upgrades you may wish.
Rent free weeks
The rent free weeks for 2023/2024 are:
- Week 39 – 25 December 2023 to 31 December 2023
- Week 40 – 1 January 2024 to 7 January 2024
- Week 51 – 18 March 2024 to 24 March 2024
- Week 52 – 25 March 2024 to 31 March 2024
Ways to pay
Direct debit
One of the easiest ways to make regular Council payments is by direct debit.
This is easy to set up and once in place, all your payments will be made automatically, on time, and in line with your instalment plan. Tenants can choose to pay on the 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th of each month.
Standing order
If you wish to pay your rent by Standing Order you will need to complete a Standing Order request form. Once this is completed, it should be handed into your bank.
Forms are available by calling 01563 554400 (Housing Option 5) or alternatively speak to your local Neighbourhood Coach.
Online
You can pay online free of charge by credit or debit card or by PayPal.
Telephone
Payments can be made by calling 01563 554400 or by using our automated payment line 01563 574057. You must have your Tenancy Reference Number and credit/debit card details available.
PayPoint
You can pay your rent at PayPoints across East Ayrshire. Payments can be made at any premises displaying the PayPoint sign. In many cases these outlets have extended opening times, allowing you to make payments at a time most convenient to you. To make payments at these outlets, you will need a payment card or bar-coded bill.
Please note that payments using PayPoint should take two working days to reach your rent account. Please allow for this when making payment.
Find your nearest PayPoint location
Post
Cheques/postal orders should be made payable to 'East Ayrshire Council' quoting your name, address and Tenancy Reference Number on the reverse and sent to Customer Services. Remember to cross your cheque/postal orders.
Problems paying your rent
If you are having problems paying your rent, please arrange to speak to your Neighbourhood Coach at the earliest opportunity. They will be happy to make a realistic and affordable payment plan to help you pay off any arrears.
If you make and keep to your payment plan, we will suspend any current recovery action against you.
In Court Advisor
The In-Court Advice Centre can help with benefits, negotiating an affordable payment arrangement, Court paperwork, advice relating to your arrears/eviction case and preparation for your Court appearance.
Legal action
If you do not make arrangements to pay off your rent arrears, or if you fail to keep to your arrangement, then the Council may take court action against you. Your home is at risk if you fail to make rent payments due.
Useful contacts
Universal Credit
You may be entitled to Universal Credit to help pay your rent.
You can apply online and may be entitled to your housing costs as part of your claim. This will be paid directly to you as part of your claim and you must then pay your rent directly to the Council.
The Universal Credit Support Team can provide help and guidance on any aspect of Universal Credit, please call 01563 503280.
Housing Benefit
If you have a low income or receive benefits, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help you pay some or all of your rent costs.
East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau can provide free, confidential advice on managing your finances, or on benefits which may be available to you. The service can also provide advice and representation relating to the legal process.
Call the Kilmarnock Office on 01563 544744 or Cumnock Office on 01290 429500 for more information.