Your rent is due on a weekly basis from the start of your tenancy.
It is your responsibility to ensure the rent is paid. This also applies to you if you normally have your rent paid by Housing Benefit.
Failure to pay rent may result in you losing your home.
When your rent is due
Rent is due weekly and is payable in 48 weekly instalments.
It is your legal responsibility to ensure that your rent is paid on time.
The four non-collectable rent weeks for 2025/2026 are:
- 7 April 2025
- 25 August 2025
- 22 December 2025
- 30 March 2026
If your account is in arrears, you must still make payment as agreed.
If you’re struggling to pay your rent
Please contact us as soon as possible. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can help arrange an affordable payment plan.
Rents Team
Telephone:
01229 876469
01229 876397
01229 876471
Housing Benefit or Universal Credit queries
Housing Benefit Liaison Officer
Telephone: 01229 876581
Managing your money
Our Money Management Advisor offers a wide range of support, including help with:
- budgeting for your income
- housing and welfare benefits
- lending and savings plans
- energy and utility savings
- contents insurance
- setting up basic bank accounts/payment arrangements
- arranging access to specialist debt advice agencies
For money management advice
Money Management Officer
Telephone: 01229 876534
Different ways to pay your rent
Direct Debit
If you pay your water rates by direct debit, £5 per year will be credited to your account.
Many of our tenants pay their rent and water rates the hassle-free way by direct debit.
With a direct debit, you tell your bank to make a monthly payment to us for the cost of your rent.
Once set up, the payment is made automatically on the same date every month. There’s nothing else you need to do and there’s no chance you’ll forget to pay.
Setting up a direct debit:
You can set up a direct debit in several ways.
Setting up direct debit by phone or email
Business Support Officer
Telephone: 01229 876478
Email: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Setting up direct debit by post
You can set up a direct debit by downloading and returning a direct debit form to us.
Post to:
Barrow Town Hall
Duke Street
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 2LD
Our Online Payments Service
You can pay your rent using our 24-hour secure payments service.
Credit/Debit Card
Payments Service
Telephone: 01229 876390
Automated telephone service: 0845 603 1510
You will need your rent account number and card details.
Accepted cards: Visa Credit/Charge, Visa Debit, Mastercard or Switch.
Online Banking/Standing Order
Payments may be made directly into the Council's bank account:
- NatWest Bank
- Account Number: 37973517
- Sort Code: 01 04 66
- Account Name: Westmorland and Furness Council
Please quote your full Payment Reference Number to ensure the payment reaches your rent account.
Post Office or Paypoint Outlets
You can pay at any Paypoint outlet or Post Office. At the start of your tenancy a letter will be produced with a barcode. Take this letter with your payment as the barcode will be scanned when you make payment.
Always ask for a receipt and keep it safe as this is your only proof of payment.
If your letter becomes damaged and cannot be scanned, please tell us so we can replace it.
If you already have a plastic Allpay Card you can continue to use it.
If your card is lost, damaged or stolen, please tell us so we can provide you with a barcoded letter.
Cheque
Cheques should be crossed and made payable to ‘Westmorland and Furness Council’. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.
Write the relevant Rent Account Number on the reverse of the cheque; a receipt will be generated and returned to you.
You must keep all receipts as proof of payment. Disputes cannot be investigated without proof of payment.
Post to:
Borough Treasurer
Westmorland and Furness Council
Town Hall
Duke Street
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 2LD
Do not enclose cash. We do not accept responsibility for any losses of cash sent through the post.
Apply for Housing Benefit
You may be eligible for some help towards your rent. If you wish to apply for Housing Benefit, a form can be obtained by contacting us:
Housing Benefit Liaison Officer
Telephone: 01229 876581
Email: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
The form should be completed and returned to us, along with any proof of income and savings required.
Failure to provide proof may result in your claim being cancelled and may result in rent arrears.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your rent is paid whether by housing benefit or personally.
Any changes in circumstances must be reported to us immediately as you will be liable to repay any overpayment.
Changes such as stopping or starting work, increases or decreases in your wages, someone moving in or out of your home, may affect the amount of benefit you get.
Whatever the circumstances, if the information you have given on your application form changes at any time, you must tell Revenues and Benefits immediately. Failure to do so may result in you being overpaid.
Help and advice on Housing Benefits
Revenue and Benefits
Telephone: 01229 404242
Housing Benefit Liaison Officer
Telephone: 01229 876581
Universal Credit
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit you must ensure you claim the housing element of Universal Credit for your rent.
This will be paid direct to yourself or direct to your rent account through an APA (Alternative Payment Arrangement) - if you meet the criteria.
You must ensure you are receiving the correct amount of housing element and must notify DWP of any errors or change in circumstances.
Water Rates
Since April 2013, Water Rates have been included within your rent charge.
Increase/Decrease in Rent
Every April, rent is reviewed and you are notified at least four weeks prior to the beginning of April of the amount your rent will be changed by and how much your new rent will be.
Changes to Housing Payments
We inform Revenues and Benefits of any change in your rent and benefit will be adjusted automatically at the beginning of April.
If you receive Universal Credit you must notify DWP direct.
Standing Orders
If you are not in receipt of housing benefit, a letter regarding your standing order will be sent to you before 1st April detailing the new amount to be paid.
If you are in receipt of housing benefit you will receive a letter during the second week of April.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure your standing order is amended at your bank.
Money Advice from the CAB
Barrow Citizens’ Advice can provide information, advice and support on all aspects of managing money and dealing with debt, including:
- Setting an affordable budget
- Increasing and maximising income from benefit entitlement and tax credits
- Finding the best deals for fuel, water, phones and insurance
Find out about support to help with debt and managing money on Citizen’s Advice Barrow website.
Citizens’ Advice Barrow
Telephone: 0808 2787 817