Pay my rent

We help you manage your council rent by offering clear information on what you pay, how to pay it, and what to do if you are struggling. This includes:

  • keeping your rent account up to date
  • understanding your charges and how your rent is spent
  • getting help if you are at risk of falling behind

We will contact you if there are changes to your rent or charges. Make sure your contact details are up to date.

Before rent is due

You will receive:

  • a rent statement every 3 months showing payments and any service charges
  • notice of rent or charge changes (you will get at least 4 weeks’ written notice before any change)
  • annual increase notice (usually from April each year)

Information on charges for 2026 to 2027

Why rent has gone up

It is necessary to increase rents each year to ensure that Housing Leeds is able to continue to cover increases in costs of providing essential services to tenants and properties including repairs and maintenance, property investment and tenancy and estate management services.

The new charges became effective from Monday 6 April 2026.

How much rent has increased

We are increasing rent by 4.8%. The government’s rent increase formula for social housing of Consumer Price Index (CPI) +1%.

Most service charges are increasing by 4.8%. Additional services may include lighting, heating or the cleaning of communal areas, lifts, communal furniture or facilities or heating charges.

Details of your new service charge will be outlined in the rent increase letter.

The amount being charged represents a contribution to the actual cost of providing the additional services and it is considered fairer that those tenants who receive additional services contribute towards these costs. This will help us to continue to invest in improving homes, estates and multi-storey blocks.

Retirement LIFE tenants

Support charges from 6 April 2026 are £10.02 per week.

If you are worried about not being able to pay your rent, find out what help is available.

How your rent is spent

The money you pay in rent goes towards the cost of providing you with the services you receive as a council tenant. The main items of expenditure are repairs and maintenance, loan charges, operating costs and employee costs.

Where each £1 comes from

Income Amount per £1
Council home rents £0.84
Grants £0.07
Other income £0.04
Service charges £0.04
Other rents £0.01

Where each £1 is spent

Expenditure Amount per £1  
Repairs and maintenance £0.26 The repairs and maintenance of council homes plus a small amount for housing office premises costs
Building and improving homes £0.24 Includes building of new properties and making improvements to existing homes (for example, new kitchens)
Housing management £0.18 This covers paying for staff, all the day to day costs of providing a landlord service, Discretionary Housing Payments, CCTV
Cost of borrowing £0.16 Finance costs associated with servicing Housing debt which allows us to invest more in homes
Supplies £0.08 Includes payments to PFI contractors, insurance and the housing office running costs
Central services £0.06 This includes support services such as providing for bad debts and specialist advice from Legal Services
Environmental maintenance £0.02 Used to pay for grounds maintenance and environmental services

You need to:

  • keep your rent account up to date
  • report any changes to your income or benefits
  • let us know if you are struggling before you fall behind

What to expect:

  • charges may include things like cleaning, lighting, or heating of communal areas
  • if you have a joint tenancy, all named tenants are responsible for rent

How you can pay your rent

Pay by direct debit

You can choose to make monthly or weekly payments, and if your rent changes, we will adjust the amount on the direct debit for you.

Direct debit payments have an immediate money-back guarantee from your bank in the event of an error in the payment of your direct debit. You receive advance notice if the date or amount changes, and you have the right to cancel at any time.

It’s one of the safest and most reassuring ways of paying your bills, because payments are made automatically, so bills are never forgotten, lost in the post or delayed by postal problems.

Set up a direct debit by phone

The easiest way to set up a direct debit is by phone. You will need your bank details.

Call your local Housing Office

Pay online

You will need your rent reference number to make a payment online. This is 9 digits long, and can be found on your rent statement, rent payment card, or any letters we have sent to you.

You cannot use a credit card to make online payments.

You can manage your tenancy online, which will allow you to make rent payments and check your rent balance.

You can also make a one-off payment online. You do not need to register for this.

Make a one-off payment

Pay by phone

Make a payment by debit card on our automated telephone line. Credit cards cannot be used.

You will need your rent reference number. This is 9 digits long, and can be found on your rent payment card, on your rent statement, or any letters we have sent to you.

0300 456 0484
(24 hours per day, 7 days per week)

Set up a standing order or bank transfer

Your 9 digit rent account number should be used as the reference number. Your rent account number can be found on your bill or rent card.

Name of organisation: Leeds City Council
Bank and branch name: National Westminster Bank, 8 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 1QS
Branch address: Head Office Collection
Account number: 00000000
Sort code: 57-12-72

Pay in person at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet

You can pay in person at a Post Office or PayPoint outlet using your rent payment card or a temporary rent letter which includes a barcode.

You can request a temporary rent letter at your local Community Hub, Housing Office or One Stop Centre, or by calling your Housing Office.

After you pay your rent

Payments may take time to appear on your rent account.

You can check your balance via the Housing self-service portal.

We will contact you if you go into arrears.

If you are not able to pay

If you are in arrears, we will work with you to:

  • set up affordable repayment plans
  • check benefit eligibility
  • refer you to advice services

If arrears continue, we may:

  • apply to court for possession of your home
  • add court costs to your account
  • cancel applications for re-housing

Extra support

We can help if you:

  • are struggling to pay your rent
  • need to check if you are entitled to benefits
  • want to set up a payment plan you can afford
  • are unhappy with the service or something did not go as expected

Call or email your local housing office.

Visit your local community hub.

If you need advice about dealing with debt, you can also contact the Money Advice Service.

Policies

Find out more information on our rental income collection policy.