Rent and Service Charges
Detailed information can be found in the Tenant Handbook
Creative Support aims to set its rent and service charges at a reasonable level that our tenants can afford and in line with guidance.
The rent and service charges are payable weekly. As a tenant you are liable for the full amount. We will offer you support to claim Housing Benefit. This will cover some or all of your rental costs. It is your responsibility to pay any rental costs that Housing Benefit won’t pay for you.
The Base Rent element of the rent charge is based on the costs of owning and maintaining the building. Where the property is owned by another landlord, the rent is set by them.
The service charges are amounts charged along with your rent, for services you receive in the accommodation. For example, gardening or fire alarm systems. Your Housing Officer can give you more information about the services where you live.
Our rents and services charges are reviewed every year and usually change from the first Monday in April. Between January and February each year you will receive a letter explaining what your rent and service charges will be for the coming 12 months. We use guidance from the Regulator of Social Housing to ensure that increases in rent and service charges are reasonable.
Tenants of some housing association properties that we manage will have different rent review procedures. Where this is the case, the arrangements will be set out in your tenancy or licence agreement.
More detailed information can be found in the Tenant Handbook.
How to pay your rent
The following below are accepted payment methods
Payment by Standing Order
This is our preferred method of payment as it is the most reliable and cost effective.
A standing order means that the money automatically comes out of your bank every week. We recommend that everyone pays by standing order as you don’t need to remember to make payments every week. To set up a standing order, you can request a mandate from the Housing Department to fill in your details and send to your bank, or you can set up a standing order yourself using your online or telephone banking or in your bank’s
local branch.
If you do this, you must obtain your Tenancy Reference from the Housing Department and quote this as your standing order reference so that we know who the money belongs to. Your tenancy reference begins with a letter ‘T’ and is followed by 5 numbers e.g. T01234.
Payment by BACS
Payment system that allows for the electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts.
BACS, which stands for Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services, is a payment system in the UK that allows for the electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts. Please use the following details:
Bank Name: Barclays
Account Name: ******* *************
Account Number: ********
Sort Code: ** ** **
Payment by Telephone
Please call the housing team to make a payment through the telephone.
You can make a payment over the phone from a debit card. You will need your debit card and reference number. Your tenancy reference begins with ‘T’ and is followed by 5 numbers. Support staff can tell you your number or you can ring your Housing Officer who will give you the reference. We can find you on our system with your address too. You should ring our Head Office number on 0161 236 0829 and ask to speak to the Housing Team to make a rent payment. Our Reception Team will put you through to one of our Officers who will be able to take the payment from you. We can send you a receipt afterwards.
Payment by Cheque
We accept cheques as a valid form of payment method.
Please make any cheques payable to: Creative Support Ltd. If paying by cheque please write your name, address and your tenancy reference number on the back. All cheques should be addressed to: Creative Support Ltd, Wellington House 131 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3TS
If you are unable to pay by any of these methods, under certain circumstances we may be able to accept cash payments. If you are uncertain please speak to a member of staff or phone the Housing Team on 0161 236 0829 and we shall arrange a suitable payment plan.
Rent Statements
All tenants will receive quarterly rent statements by post, however you can call the housing team on 0161 236 0829 and ask for a statement to be sent to you more frequently if you would like.