Information Leaflet Easy ways to pay rent
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to pay your rent and other charges. We offer the following ways to pay: n Direct Debit (with a choice of dates, 1st, 7th, 15th, 21st or 28th of each month) n Pay Zone swipe card n automated telephone line 0300 123 3423 n internet payments www.aragon-housing.co.uk n Standing Order n Visit our office or call us on 0300 123 5544. Direct Debit This is our preferred method of payment as it is the most cost effective. It is simple to set up. An application form is available on our website, from our office or can be sent on request. The form should then be returned to Aragon to allow us to set up the monthly Direct Debit, on either the 1st, 7th, 15th, 21st or 28th of each month for collection. Some residents are required to pay their rent monthly in advance. For example, if your rent is due on the 1st of every month your Direct Debit should be set up for that date. However, if you want to choose a later Direct Debit date you will need to ensure your account has a credit to cover the period from the 1st of the month. 2 Aragon Housing Association operates a zero tolerance policy towards any intimidating, threatening or abusive (verbal or physical) behaviour aimed at its staff or contractors.
You will be notified of any changes to the amount collected during the year and we will deal with any changes necessary for the annual rent changes. If you would like to know more about Direct Debit or request a form please contact our Customer Services Team on 0330 123 5544. Pay Zone swipe card If you do not have a swipe card and would like one, please contact us on 0300 123 5544. A swipe card will cost you nothing and is a convenient way of paying your rent and other charges. Your swipe card can be used at all Post Offices and anywhere displaying the Pay Zone logo across the UK. The card has your tenancy reference number incorporated on the card to ensure that your payment reaches the correct account. Post Offices accept payment by cash, cheque (made payable to Post Offices Ltd) or debit card, at no charge to you. Pay Zone outlets may make a small transaction charge for accepting cheque or debit card payments. Telephone payments To pay over the telephone using our automated line, simply call 0300 123 3423 and follow the instructions. You will need to enter your tenancy reference number (this can be found on your rent statement or obtained by contacting us on 0300 123 5544). You will be given a payment reference for your records and your payment will be received by Aragon automatically. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note that Aragon does not accept the following debit/credit cards: Visa Electron American Express Diners Card www.aragon-housing.co.uk 3
Internet payments You can also pay your rent online through My Place Portal on our website www.aragon-housing.co.uk. This service is secure, so no one else can access your details. In order to use My Place Portal you must first register by completing the form on our website at www.aragon-housing.co.uk. You will need your tenancy reference number. Once the form is completed, we will send a letter to you within five working days containing your secure login details. For joint tenants, we strongly recommend that each joint tenant registers separately to obtain individual login details. Standing Order We cannot set up a Standing Order for you, you will need to set this up yourself or ask your bank to do it and also be responsible for making any changes to the amount paid. For your assistance a form is available on our website, from our office, or can be sent to you on request. You can set up a Standing Order without this form via internet banking or by contacting your bank and quoting our bank details and your tenancy reference number. Your tenancy reference number can be found on your rent statement or obtained by contacting us on 0300 123 5544. Our bank details are: NATWEST Bank PLC, Ampthill Sort Code: 600116 Account No: 26029502 4
Payment at our offices You can pay at our offices using your credit or debit card by visiting our reception or by phoning us on 0300 123 5544. If you have no other way of making a payment, we will accept cheques made payable to Aragon Housing Association (writing your tenancy reference number on the back of the cheque) at our office. However, the other methods of payment listed in this leaflet are preferred. Housing Benefit If you wish to make a claim for Housing Benefit, this application must be made to your local council. Our Welfare Reform Team can assist you in making this claim. You may ask the council to pay your Housing Benefit direct to us, but you are responsible for making sure that the council is kept informed of any change in your circumstances as your entitlement may be affected. Aragon may be required to refund to the council any Housing Benefit which has been overpaid and you will need to pay any arrears on your rent account as a result. If you are not entitled to have all of your rent paid by Housing Benefit, you must make up the shortfall using one of the methods of payment mentioned in this leaflet. Once Universal Credit is introduced the arrangements for the payment of the Housing Benefit element to us may change. It is important you keep up to date with those changes. www.aragon-housing.co.uk 5
Community Alarm and Support Service If you live in a retirement property, there may be a support charge shown in the breakdown of your rent and you may receive benefits to help pay for this. You may choose to receive extra services from the Community Alarm and Support Service provided by Aragon through your home support officer. For further information please speak to your home support officer or you can email the team at retirement.housing@aragon-housing.co.uk Money advice Aragon s Money Advice Service assists tenants with the successful management of their income and outgoings. There are a number of ways in which the service can help including: n money management n benefits and welfare advice, including support with appeals n debt advice including negotiating with creditors and setting up payment plans. n bank accounts n tenancy agreements (financial) n practical assistance such as form completion. If you feel you may benefit from this service or would like further information, contact us on 0300 123 5544 and ask for the Money Advice Team. 6
Rent arrears We will contact any tenants who are behind with their rent. If you have any difficulty paying your rent please contact us on 0300 123 5544 as soon as possible for advice. An agreement can be made for you to make regular payments to clear the arrears. However, Aragon will take legal action if the arrears continue to rise or satisfactory arrangements have not been made to clear the arrears. www.aragon-housing.co.uk 7
Equality and Diversity 12.14 Aragon Housing Association has a responsibility to ensure that equal opportunity and effective management of diversity are at the core of its business. The association sets targets to deliver services that are responsive to the needs of communities and individuals, and promote social inclusion. Do you need this in a different format? Do you need the information in this document in a different format? Please contact us on 0300 123 5544 to discuss your specific requirements. Katherine s House, Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire MK45 2JP AragonHousingAssociation AragonHA Tel: 0300 123 5544 Fax: 01525 403682 Email: enquiry@aragon-housing.co.uk Web: www.aragon-housing.co.uk Office opening hours: 8.45am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday Registered address: Katherine s House, Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire MK45 2JP Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 No. 27816R Registered with the Tenant Services Authority No. L4048 Member of the National Housing Federation Aragon Housing Association is part of Grand Union Housing Group