Paying your rent

The amount of rent you pay depends on the type of home you live in. The rent you are charged will be shown on your annual rent notification letter that we send to you every March.

Your tenancy agreement states your rent is due weekly.  If you prefer to pay weekly, you will be asked for one weeks rent payment in advance before your tenancy starts and then your rent and charges are due in advance on Monday of each week. If you wish to pay your rent over longer periods – for example, monthly - you will be asked for a monthly rent payment in advance before your tenancy starts and then your rent and charges are due in advance each month.

In 2024/2025 there are 53 rent charging weeks with 49 rent collection weeks. For tenants not in rent arrears there are 4 non collection weeks.

The set non-collection weeks are 1st and 8th April 2024 and 23rd and 30th December 2024. If you pay weekly and you do not have any rent arrears these dates are the set breaks. If you are in arrears please continue to pay your rent throughout these dates.

IMPORTANT: If you pay monthly, you pay 12 x equal instalments (no breaks) This is because the non-collections weeks are included in with your monthly payment. (e.g weekly rent x 49 divided by 12)

For tenants who are in receipt of Universal Credit you will need to update your housing costs through a To-Do you will receive.  An example of the To-Do

For a copy of the rent calendar for 2023/2024 Rent Calendar 2023/2024 (PDF 97KB)

For a copy of the rent calendar for 2024/2025 Rent Calendar 2024/2025 (PDF 97KB)

For a copy of the FAQ'S for 2023 / 2024 FAQ's 2023/2024 (PDF 135KB)

For a copy of the FAQ'S for 2024 / 2025 FAQ's 2024/2025 (PDF 135KB)

Monthly payments by direct debt or standing order are calculated to include the non-collection weeks.

Make paying your rent your number

one priority or risk losing your home.

How to pay your rent

There are a wide range of methods to pay your rent or other housing payments:

Online​

• Pay online by credit or debit card

By direct debit

This is a quick and easy way to pay your rent. We can offer any payment date and you can choose to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly by direct debit to suit your budget. Setting up a direct debit is quick and easy. Email the Income Team today on incometeam@westlancs.gov.uk or call 01695 585252.

By standing order

• If you use mobile banking you can set this up online, quoting our bank details - Nat West - 01-06-45 account 86998404 and your tenancy number.

• For online banking - quote our bank details above and your tenancy number.

• Download a standing order mandate (PDF 21.5kb) and send your completed form to your bank and email a copy to incometeam@westlancs.gov.uk or post to Housing and Inclusion Service, 49-51 Westgate, Skelmersdale, WN8 8LP. Alternatively call 01695 585252 or visit one of our Customer Service Points . 

By telephone

• By debit/credit card using the 24 hour automated payment line on 01695 585150
• By debit/credit card by calling Customer Services on 01695 577177. Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5.30 pm.

In person

At Paypoint – retail outlets (with cash only), or at the Post Office by cash, or cheque made payable to ‘Post Office Ltd’. You need a rent payment card at these outlets. If you need a card or a replacement card please tel 01695 585252.

By post

• Send a cheque or postal order made payable to West Lancashire Borough Council to Revenues and Benefits Service, PO Box 16, Ormskirk, L39 2DF. Please do not send cash through the post.

Check your rent account

If you would like a paper copy of your rent history please complete a Rent statement request through the self-serve portal and we will aim to send this to you within 10 working days.

To submit the rent statement request form you will need a self-service account. If you have not created one before, simply register as a new user, activate your account and use the above facility.

How your rent is used

The rent you pay is used in the following ways:

• repair your home when things go wrong or need replacing
• pay for major repair work such as replacing kitchens, bathrooms and windows
• manage the housing service

Rent refunds

Rent is payable in advance, however if you have overpaid your rent, in some instances you may be able to request a refund, if you have no outstanding council debt and your rent account remains in advance.  You can do this by

• By phone: call 01695 585252