Pay your rent

Your rent is used to help us continue to provide a great service to our tenants and to repair and improve our homes.

It’s easy to pay your rent or leaseholder service charges, and to access your rent account online. You’ll get four rent free weeks during the year, whichever way you choose to pay.

Pay by Direct Debit

The easiest way to pay your rent is by Direct Debit – it’s flexible and convenient and makes sure you never miss a payment.

You can pay your rent directly from your bank account weekly, fortnightly, 4 weekly or calendar monthly on any date of the month (excluding the 31st). We work out the amount of rent you’ll pay for the year and divide the annual rent by the number of payments you’ll make.

Payments are updated automatically so there’s no need for you to tell your bank when your rent amount changes. You’ll receive at least 10 working days’ notice of any changes to your payment amounts and dates. If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you’ll need to notify us of any changes to the amount that you receive, and we’ll amend your Direct Debit.

Set up a Direct Debit

Check your rent balance online

Click here to access My Housing Online where you can check your rent account balance, see your payment history, and make a payment straight through to the council’s online payment page.

It’s a quick, easy, and secure way to keep rent payments up to date.

Other ways to pay

Pay online

Click here to pay your rent online (through Barnsley Council) using a debit or credit card. The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You’ll need your housing rents reference.

Pay by phone

You can make a payment by phone using our automated service on 01226 775445.

The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You’ll need your rent payment reference number. Please have a debit or credit card to hand.

Pay by standing order

If your bank account allows standing orders, you'll need to arrange this yourself and it will be your responsibility to notify your bank of any changes to your payment.

Payments should be made to Barnsley Council using the following details: (Barnsley Council Barclays account)

Account number: 83651142
Sort code: 20-08-07

You must also provide your bank with your 11-digit rent payment reference number. It’s important to give the correct details to make sure your payments go to the correct rent account.

Contact the Income Team online

If you’re worried about money or having any problems paying your rent, please click here to contact our Income Team by eform – we’re here to help.

Other ways to contact the Income Team

Email income@berneslaihomes.co.uk

Phone 01226 787878

Click here to send us an eform

Get support with rent payments

It's important to understand what support is available and how to apply for it - click here to find out more.

More information about your rent

Click here to find out how we calculate your rent, when you pay, and what's included.

Claiming support

Universal Credit (UC)

You may be able to claim Universal Credit (UC) if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income (including self-employed or part time), out of work or if you can’t work, for example because of a health condition.

To make a claim for the housing costs element of Universal Credit you should do this straight away as it’s the date of your claim that will be used in deciding when any housing costs are paid. The housing costs element of Universal Credit can’t be backdated, apart from certain special circumstances.

After you apply, you must contact your local Job Centre Plus within 7 days to make an appointment with a work coach.

If you’re awarded the housing costs element of Universal Credit, it’s your responsibility to pay the rent due.

Universal Credit Managed Migration

The Government is moving people who are currently claiming legacy benefits such as tax credits, Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing benefit etc onto Universal Credit.

You don’t need to do anything until you have received a Universal Credit ‘Migration Notice’ (letter) from the DWP.

The first roll out will only affect people claiming Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.

Housing Benefit

Housing benefit helps people on a low income to pay their rent. It can pay for part or all of your rent.

You can make a claim for housing benefit using the council’s online benefit form.

It’s important that you do this straight away and supply all required documentation as claims can’t be backdated more than 4 weeks.

If you don’t put your claim in straight away you’ll be responsible for paying the full rent due.

Discretionary housing payment (DHP)

If you’re finding it difficult to pay your rent, you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment (DHP) on top of your usual housing benefit or Universal Credit payment. This is a temporary payment to help people facing financial crisis.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition. You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself and you’ll need an assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).