The council charges social rent on all of its tenancies. Rent levels are based on a combination of the value of the property and average earnings in Norfolk. Under government guidelines a target rent is calculated and set for a number of years with actual rents being adjusted annually until they reach the target rent.
The government's aim is for council rents to more closely match those charged by housing associations. As part of the changes, new service charges for some items, window cleaning and premises management and caretaking, for instance are shown as a separate weekly charge for the homes which benefit from these services. Other items may be added to the rent,for example, district heatingcharges and water rates.
Paying rent
Rent can be paid in a number of ways:
1. online payments
Use your bank debit or credit card to pay over the internet by filling in the online payment form. The money will go into your rent account within two working days.
Please note: when paying your rent by credit card there will be a surcharge of 1.884%.
Click here to pay online
2. direct debit
By filling in a direct debit form you can chose to pay your rent monthly on either the 7th, 17th or 27th. If your rent payment is in arrears you must make an arrangement with your income officer before completing this form. If no arrears arrangement is included we will include all outstanding arrears in the direct debit calculation, to be paid within the financial year.
3. standing order
Standing orders are paid directly from your bank account to your rent account. This can be paid weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly. To pay this way download and print off the standing order form, which you should complete and give to your bank to set up the payments. If you do not have your tenancy reference to hand please call the customer contact team on 0344 980 3333 for this information.
Use your blue rent payment card or bar coded rent statement to pay by cash or cheque, made payable to Post Office Ltd, at any post office. It is a free, convenient and private service - shop staff will not see details of your rent account so will not be able to give you a balance. Please keep your receipts. If you do not have a payment card call 0344 980 3333 to request one. You can also pay council tax and other council bills this way too.
Find your nearest Post Office
5. at a Paypoint
Look out for the purple Paypoint sign at your local shop, newsagents or petrol stations. Use your blue rent card or bar coded rent statement and pay with cash. It is a free, convenient and private service It is a free, convenient and private service - shop staff will not see details of your rent account so will not be able to give you a balance. Please keep your receipts. If you do not have a payment card call 0344 980 3333 to request one.
Find your nearest Paypoint outlet
6. by phone
You can contact your income officer directly or our customer contact team on 0344 980 3333. An advisor will take your name and address, or your rent account number if you have it to hand. All you need is a debit or credit card.
Please note: when paying your rent by credit card there will be a surcharge of 1.884%.
7. by post
You can send a cheque made payable to Norwich City Council: Norwich City Council, City Hall, Norwich, NR2 1NH. Please write your name, address and rent reference number on the back of the cheque. Do not send cash through the post.
Paying your water charge direct to Anglian Water
To have a water meter fitted and pay your water charge directly to Anglian Water, contact them on 08457 919155 and they will make arrangements to see if a meter can be fitted. Once Anglian Water notifies the council that they are billing a tenant direct, the council stops collecting water rates with the rent.
Insurance
Buildings insurance is not needed for homes owned by or leased from the council. Tenants and leaseholders are strongly advised to still arrange their own contents insurance.
Tenants can arrange household contents insurance through the council and have the premium(s) collected with their rent, for as little as £0.77 a week - £0.51 for people aged over 60.
Contact the customer service team on 0344 980 3333 or email info@norwich.gov.uk for an application form.
Payment planner
Download the calendar below which you can print off and use for marking when important payments are due.
Money advice
Tenancy Awareness Sessions
Council tax reduction
Housing benefit
Housing information leaflets
Housing service standards
Welfare reform