Paying your rent when you are in receipt of Universal Credit
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit and are claiming the Housing Cost element this will be paid as part of your single monthly payment.
If you were previously in receipt of housing benefit, this was automatically paid to your rent account. This is not the case with Universal Credit, so you need to decide how you will pay your rent.
You can:
- set up a regular payment for your full rent and any arrears arrangement via any of our payment methods
- request the Housing Cost element be paid directly to your Birmingham City Council rent account
Rent year April 2024 to March 2025
This rent year has 53 weeks.
Make sure that you budget for the extra week.
For more information about how to adjust your rent payments and how you will be affected if you receive Universal Credit, phone the Rent Service on: 0121 675 2006.
Direct Payments
If you would prefer your Housing Costs to be paid directly to your rent account, you can ask by:
- speaking to your DWP Work Coach
- emailing rent@birmingham.gov.uk. You must include your rent account details
- completing our Housing Rents Enquiry form
Your Housing Costs will be paid to us monthly, in arrears.
The money you receive for Housing Costs may not always cover your full rent. You will need make sure you pay any outstanding amount.
If your Housing Cost element does not cover your full rent, you can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). This is based on individual circumstances and your application may not be successful.
Direct messaging
Occasionally, the Rent Service may contact you via text message.
These text messages will display the name: BCC RENT or the number: 07860 003 505.
If you are unsure about a text message you have received, email us, or phone 0121 675 2006 to check.
What if I am in arrears?
If your rent account is already in arrears, we can request that your Housing Costs be paid directly to us to cover your rent, without you requesting this.
We can do this under the following circumstances:
- you owe more than 2 months’ rent, or
- you owe 1 month’s rent and you have not paid rent on time in the past.
We can also ask for deductions for rent arrears to clear your debt. This can be up to 20% of the Universal Credit standard amount paid to you.
Changes in circumstance
If you experience a change in circumstance, you must report this to the DWP via your online account or by calling the Universal Credit helpline, as this may affect your entitlement.
If your change in circumstance affects your ability to pay your rent, contact the Rent Service by:
- email: rent@birmingham.gov.uk
- online: Housing Rents Enquiry Form
- phone: 0121 675 2006 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday
Page last updated: 15 August 2024