This service is for tenants who have bank or building society accounts.
What is a direct debit?
A direct debit is an authority you give to your bank or building society to make regular payments from a current account at the request of, and to the account of, a specified organisation (the originator).
Who benefits?
Direct debits allows you, as a bank or building society customer, to pay bills easily and conveniently, saving the time and trouble of writing and sending a cheque, or paying in cash. They can be used to pay regular bills as well as to spread a larger bill in instalments across a period of time. Originators find direct debits easy and convenient to use in much the same way as customers. Direct debits make cash flow easier to manage because businesses know exactly when cash is flowing in and out of their accounts.
Cancelling a direct debit
A direct debit can be cancelled at any time by the customer informing their bank or building society, usually in writing. It is also advisable to inform the supplier as well, but this is not obligatory as the bank or building society will also do it.
Our guarantee to you
We will guarantee not to make changes to your payments at any time, without prior consultation between yourself and your Housing officer.
What you must remember:
- It takes time to set up a direct debit and you must continue to pay your rent until we contact you
- there must be enough funds in your building society or bank Account at the time of the direct debit to cover your rent payment
- if there are not enough funds in your bank or building society they will reject the payment and you will go into rent arrears
- we will immediately stop the direct debit and look for some other method of payment.
The direct debit guarantee
This guarantee should be printed and retained by payer
This guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that take part in the direct debit scheme. The efficiency and security of the scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society.
If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, Brent Council will notify you in writing before your account is being debited or as otherwise agreed with your Housing Officer.
If an error is made by Brent Council or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.
You can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to your bank or building society. Please also send a copy of your letter to us.
If you want more information, please ring Brent Housing Partnership Rents Department on 020 8937 2480.
Download
You can download a direct debit form to pay your council or garage rent in both MS Word or portable document format (pdf).
- Direct debit form (.doc, 62Kb)
- Direct debit form (.pdf, 95Kb)
You may need Adobe Reader software to view this pdf file, which is available as a free download from the Adobe website.