Rent

Check your rent balance and make a payment at any time using our rent balance tool.  First, you’ll need to sign up to myaccount and match it to your housing account. 

We will tell you how much your gross rent is, but this may be reduced if you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. Your rent is due each Monday for the week ahead, or you can pay in advance for a specific period, for example a month or six weeks. If your rent is up-to-date, you may be entitled to a number of rent free weeks during the year. You can see our information on 2024-25 free weeks on our Rent Record Card by clicking here.  

Full roll out of Universal Credit started in Moray from 27 June 2018. Our leaflet on Universal Credit gives more information on what full service means and advice on making a claim. We also have a leaflet on claiming Universal Credit for the first time to help you pay your rent. 

Paying your rent

Your rent is due each Monday for the week ahead. You can pay your rent using one of the following methods:

• by credit or debit card using our safe online payment system.  When you make your payment you must quote your payment reference (the one with the dashes) e.g. 01-123-45-67.
• by credit or debit card using our 24 hour automated payment line on 0300 123 2678.  Calls to this number will be charged at local rates, plus your call providers access charge.
• at the Post Office or any PayPoint outlet, using your council house rent barcoded payment card - please keep all receipts.
• by authorising a monthly Direct Debit.   You will need to print, fill in this form and send it back to us.  If you need a paper copy, please let us know.  To make sure that your Direct Debit payment is processed on time, please return the form to us at least 10 working days’ before we are due to take the money from your account.  Any changes to your rent will be made automatically.  We will let you know beforehand.
• by authorising a Standing Order which can be paid monthly or weekly.  You will need to print and fill in this form and send it to your bank / building society.  If you need a paper copy, please let us know.  To make sure that your Standing Order payment is processed on time, please send it to your bank / building society at least 10 working days’ before your bank is due to pay us. Remember, it is your responsibility to tell your bank / building society if your rent changes, as they won’t know to automatically update it.
• by bank transfer / faster payment to Moray Council using the sort code 80-06-66 and bank account number 00111513.  When you make your payment you must quote your payment reference (the one with the dashes) e.g. 01-123-45-67.
• by housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit – if you receive this, it may pay some or all of your rent. You must pay any outstanding rent that is not covered.

How we set our council house rents

We changed the process we use to set our rent on 1 April 2024 when our Rent Setting Policy was implemented. In setting our rent, we apply a baseline amount to all properties. We then consider the attributes of your home. These attributes are given points which are then converted into a money value.  This is added to the baseline rent and combined will be the total the rent for your home. The values that we give each attribute set out in our policy is detailed here.

Current tenants before 1 April 2024

We didn’t think that changing the process with a big bang approach was fair for our tenants. Instead, the policy is being phased over a period of time.  If you were already our tenant when the change took place, the most your rent will increase or decrease is limited to £7.50 per week until your rent changes to the full amount as set by the Rent Setting Policy. Please note that any annual rent increase as agreed by tenants is separate to this.

If you need help to work out how your rent is set, you can use our Rent Calculator. This will show you how we work out your rent for 2024 – 2025 and includes the agreed rent increase of 7.7%. All you need to do is enter your previous rent and your new rent (you can find these in the Notice we sent you earlier this year informing you of the change). The Rent Calculator opens as an Excel file, if you don't have Excel or need support with this contact your Area Housing Officer. Phone 0300 123 4566 or email housing@moray.gov.uk.

New tenants from 1 April 2024

If you are a new tenant, your rent calculated will be the amount set by the Rent Setting Policy. If we offer you a tenancy, we will tell you how much your rent will be in the offer letter.  

You can read more in our Rent Setting Policy and in our Rent Setting Policy leaflet.