Rents & charges
Rent allows us to invest in our homes and build new ones. It means our communities have much-needed affordable and safe accommodation. You can find out how we spend the rent we receive in our latest Customer Annual Report.
You can pay your rent in many different ways, and support is available to you.
My Account
The easiest way to pay your rent is through our customer portal.
Direct Debit
The preferred method is a direct debit. To set this up, please call us on 01283 528 528. This is a flexible way of paying – we can set up your direct debit with your bank so you can pay your rent on your chosen date and frequency.
Online & app
You can pay through Allpay using a debit card.
You'll need an email address and 19-digit payment reference number found on your rent card.
Phone
You can pay your rent by phone using our automated payment line 24/7.
Please call 01283 528 528 and select option one to make a payment.
You'll need your 19-digit payment reference number from your rent card.
If you are struggling to pay your rent
There may be times where you may not be able to pay your rent on time. Our Income Team work with you to offer extra support.
They can do this by referring you to our Tenancy Sustainment Team. This team can see if you are eligible for extra financial support through grants and welfare benefits, for example.
What are rent free weeks?
This year's rent-free weeks are:
- 22/12/2025
- 29/12/2025
- 23/03/2026
- 30/03/2026
Rent-free weeks are when the total annual rent is spread over fewer weeks (such as 48 weeks instead of 52). This simplifies customer budgeting and can help avoid issues with Universal Credit calculations in 53-week rent years.
Depending on your tenancy agreement, your annual rent charge can be split evenly over 48 or 52 weeks.
If you pay your rent over 48 weeks, you will still have to pay rent over these two weeks.
If your rent is calculated and charged over 52 weeks, there are no rent-free weeks applied to your account, although you're still only being charged the correct total annual charge.
Frequently asked questions
How will this be worked out?
If you pay your rent weekly or fortnightly, you will carry on as normal. If you pay monthly and you are entitled to the four weeks rent free, then you still need to pay your rent for 12 months of the year, as the rent-free weeks will have already been deducted.
Your rent will be payable from 7 April 2025 to 6 April 2026. If you are a shared owner, your new rent is payable as per the date stated in your lease.
Do I get rent free on Housing Benefit?
The rent-free weeks will already be taken into account by Housing Benefit. If your benefit is paid directly to Trent & Dove, you don't need to do anything. If your Housing Benefit is paid to you and you're not in arrears and you do not have any other debt, you can reduce your payment for two weeks.
Do I get rent free if I’m on Universal Credit?
Your rent payments have been calculated based on the rent you are due to pay for a full year. This means that the benefit from the rent-free weeks has already been taken into account, so you should not cancel your direct debit or reduce your payments over the rent-free weeks. The same monthly amount is due.
Rent in advance
We ask for your first rent payment in advance when you sign your tenancy.
How it helps you:
- Gives you a financial buffer — it covers the period from the start of your tenancy until any benefit payments (e.g. Universal Credit or Housing Benefit) begins.
- Helps you stay on top of payments — we can set up a direct debit (weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly) so future rent payments are automatic.
- Minimises arrears risk — by starting with a credit, you reduce the chance of falling behind with rent later.
If you claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, we require a minimum of one week’s rent in advance to be paid.
Annual rent review
If there is a rent increase, this will take place in April each year. You will receive confirmation of any change to your weekly rent amount through the post during February of the same year.
What do I do if I claim benefits and my rent increases?
If you claim housing benefit, we will automatically notify the local authority of any change to your rent. If you claim Universal credit, you will need to update your Universal credit journal on the date that the change to your rent takes place. For example, if your rent increased from 7 April, you would add a note on your Universal credit journal on this date. Please do not notify Universal credit before, as the change will not take effect.
What do I need to do if I have a Direct Debit in place?
No action is required; the income team will automatically update your direct debit.
Contact our Income Team on 01283 528 528 for more information.
Service charges
A service charge is a payment made by a customer or a homeowner towards the cost of services and repairs beyond those specifically for their home.
What service do I get from this?
Communal areas: This depends on each home as some receive more services than others. But as an example of the type of service included, we will maintain a communal area and stairs or lift in a block of flats. Communal areas and windows are cleaned. The shared areas will have fire prevention and detection systems and emergency lighting which needs to be checked and maintained.
Outdoors: We would also maintain and tidy communal outdoor areas by cutting grass and collecting rubbish. Some homes will be on developments where there is a third-party management company. This company will be responsible for shared open space on the estate and everyone who lives there pays a management company service charge for this.
How are charges calculated?
Every year we look at how much each service has cost during the previous financial year. We then estimate how much we think the services will cost in the coming financial year. Trent & Dove’s financial year runs from April to March.
Every year, we compare the actual cost of the services with the amount we have charged residents and make any necessary adjustments. We will notify you of your finalised costs via a letter sent through the post in September.
Understanding your service charge breakdown
The provision and administration of service charges is regulated by law. Trent & Dove complies with all relevant legislation and regulations.