We’ve made some changes to how we contact you about rent arrears.
Council rent is charged weekly, but we know many tenants choose to pay monthly or receive benefits such as Universal Credit on a fortnightly or four weekly basis.
Our system checks rent accounts every week. In the past, this meant arrears letters were sent to anyone showing their balance as being in arrears, even if their rent was not set up to be paid weekly.
To stop unnecessary or incorrect arrears letters being sent, we’ve updated our Rent Arrears Escalation Policy.
We will now no longer send automatic arrears letters if our system shows that you pay monthly and your usual payment will clear the balance by the end of the month.
What this means for you
We will only contact you when you genuinely have arrears that need clearing.
We won’t send arrears letters if your regular payment is due and will bring your account up to date by the end of your monthly payment period.
Your monthly payment period will depend on your tenancy start date and how you choose to pay, for example by Direct Debit, or when you receive a Universal Credit payment. If you are not sure when you need to make a payment, get in touch.
If you do receive a rent arrears letter, you will need to clear the balance in full that week. If you believe the amount is wrong or you’re unable to pay, please get in touch by calling 01246 345504 or email revenues.rents@chesterfield.gov.uk.
Don’t forget that we are here to help, so if you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact us as soon as possible so we can support you.
Information for new tenants
If you are a new tenant, or you’ve moved to another Chesterfield Borough Council home, your rent will be set as weekly payments unless you tell us you prefer to pay differently (for example, monthly).
If you want to pay your rent in any way other than weekly, please let us know by calling 01246 345510. Doing this as soon as possible will prevent unnecessary arrears letters being issued
