Paying your rent

We set a rent for each property and you have a responsibility to pay your rent. We will help you claim any available assistance, but if you run into problems and have difficulty paying, it is important to contact your housing officer as soon as possible to explain the situation. This will allow them to look into any help or advice you may need to meet your responsibilities and keep your tenancy.

There are a number of ways to pay your rent:

• Follow the link, and use your account number to pay your rent online
• by standing order or direct debit – giving your bank the council’s bank account details:
  • Portsmouth City Council (housing revenue collection account),
  • Sort Code: 20-69-57
  • Account Number: 23526623
  • Branch Address: Barclays PLC, 107 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 1BT
• using our automated telephone payment service on 0800 876 6576
• cash or cheque
• debit or credit card
• giro swipe card at the Post Office

When you sign your tenancy agreement, you will be informed of any additional charges over and above your rent. Depending on the type and location of your accommodation, you may have to pay for heating, lighting, cooking and hot water.

If the complex has a communal gas and electrical supply, this will be divided between all residents and your portion added to your rent. You will not receive a separate gas or electric bill.

Each year, Portsmouth City Council considers carefully how much money is needed from rents and subsidies to repair and maintain existing Portsmouth Homes properties, and to cover other costs, such as building new properties. This helps us work out the rent we charge tenants. We consult with Portsmouth Homes tenants and leaseholders about the level of any increases proposed each year.

Portsmouth Homes properties and housing associations have similar levels of rent for similar properties. The majority of Portsmouth Homes’ properties are let at Social Rent levels, but all newly built homes are let at Affordable Rent Levels.

• Social Rent: A rent level set using a central government formula and typically set at about 60% of the current market rent for a similar property.
• Affordable Rent: A rent level set using a local market valuation system and set at 80% of the current market rent for a similar property.

The Council pays housing rents into a separate account, which, along with small amounts of government subsidy, pays for the services that Portsmouth Homes tenants receive. Rent from Portsmouth Homes tenants does not contribute to other Council services, nor is rent subsidised by Council Tax payments.

Your local housing office can help with a range of housing-related services, including answering repairs and maintenance questions, receiving payments you owe Portsmouth Homes, and offering general housing advice and support, including if you have financial difficulties.

Find information on your nearest housing office.