Ways to pay your council rent
When you move in we will give you a Rent Payment Card. This is a plastic swipe card and you need it to pay by most of the methods above.
Find out how to change the way you pay.
If you have lost your Rent Payment Card, contact your local rent team (see also Dealing with lost rent payment cards ).
If you have a query about your rent payment, please contact your local housing team.
If you would like to pay your rent by Direct Debit or Standing Order but do not have a bank account, contact your local rent team to find out about 'basic bank accounts'.
Direct Debit
Direct debit is the easiest way to pay your rent - it's hassle-free and saves time. We recommend this method of payment.
Choosing direct debit means:
* no cheques to write
* no more paperwork to complete
* no postage to pay
* no queuing
* normally no bank charges - providing your account is in credit.
You must continue to make your rent payments up until the first Direct Debit instalment date. Payments are taken from your bank or building society on the 1st or the 15th of each month or the nearest working day afterwards. If your rent changes for any reason, we will notify you in writing before changing the amount taken.
If you wish to pay by Direct Debit, simply print off and complete the mandate form attached below, entering the bank details for the account from which you want payments to be taken. It is essential that you complete the highlighted 'Reference Number' field for your application to be processed.
Please send your completed mandate (no stamp required) to:
Birmingham City Council
Direct Debit Team
FREEPOST MID18453
BIRMINGHAM
B3 3BR
Please ensure that you fill in the box marked reference number.
Forms without a reference number cannot be processed.
If you do not know your Payment Reference Number please contact your local rent team.
Tenants with rent arrears can also pay in this way, but you will need to contact your housing officer to make an arrangement before completing the form.
by phone
Call your local rent team, during office hours only. Office hours are Monday to Thursday - 8.45am to 5.15pm and Friday - 8.45am to 4.15pm.
Or call 0121 464 2001, 24 hours a day to pay your rent using our automated service. Select option 3 and make sure you have your Rent Payment Card and your credit or debit card.
Or you can still call the council's cash office during office hours on 0121 464 9671. The cash office is open from 8.45am to 4.15pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
Payzone
Pay at any Payzone outlet using your rent payment card. You can pay with cash or debit card using this method.
Look out for shops and garages that display the payzone symbol, or click here to find a Payzone outlet in your area.
PayPoint
You can pay your council rent at any PayPoint outlet.
You can only pay with cash using this method.
Look out for local shops and garages displaying the PayPoint symbol, or click here to find a PayPoint outlet in your area.
Take your Rent Payment Card and a receipt will be given.
Standing Order
You can pay your rent by setting up a standing order with your bank, using a special application form.
Contact your local rent team for more information.
Post Office
Pay your council rent at any post office by cash or cheque, using your Rent Card.
You will get a receipt for your payment.
Please be aware that there are a number of post offices in Birmingham earmarked for proposed closure.
Housing Benefit
Your council rent can be paid for you through housing benefit.
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to housing benefit to pay all or part of your rent.
You will not get this automatically if you are on other benefits. You must apply for Housing Benefit separately - please contact the Benefit Service on 0121 464 7000. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Neighbourhood Office by calling 0121 303 1111. You can also check your entitlement by using Directgov's Benefits Advisor. For further advice speak to the Rent service on 0121 675 2006, option 1.
(See also Problem paying? We can help ).
Which cards can I use to pay online?
You can pay Birmingham City Council online by debit or credit card. We accept Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit, Maestro and Solo.
Is it secure?
Your card details will be encrypted and stored on a secure server at WorldPay.
How does it work?
When you fill out the payment form, you will need to enter a reference number and contact details so we can get in touch if we need to.
After your have entered your details and the payment amount you will be transferred to the secure WorldPay site where you can enter your card details securely. WorldPay will then approve the payment and tell us that your payment has been authorised. We will then process your payment within one working day or the next available working day after weekends or bank holidays.
Refund Policy
We make every effort to ensure that all payments collected are correct. We have a Refunds Policy that protects your interests in the event of us collecting too much money from you.