Paying your rent by Direct Debit

You can now choose to pay your rent by Direct Debit. No more queuing, no need for cash, debit cards or rent swipe cards. Over 45,000 Lambeth residents now pay Council Tax by Direct Debit – why not switch to the safe, smart and easy way to pay your rent? (Please note that currently we are not able to accept Service Charge payments by Direct Debit.)

What is Direct Debit?

A Direct Debit gives the council permission to take money from your bank account in agreed amounts at agreed times. You will be given at least 10 days notice if any changes are made, and you can cancel at any time.

• It's simple - complete the form and we will send your details to your bank to set up. 
• It's convenient - choose to pay on either the 6th, 16th or 26th of each month.
• It's secure - the Direct Debit guarantee protects all your payments. 
• It's efficient - and the money we save can be put back in to improve services.

When we receive your form, we'll take your bank details and set up your Direct Debit. We'll send you a confirmation letter that includes a copy of the Direct Debit guarantee. We'll also give you at least ten working days notice of the amounts that will be debited from your bank account.

You should continue to make payments as shown on your rent statement until you receive the confirmation letter telling you that the Direct Debit is set up. If you have been paying by Standing Order you should contact your bank to cancel it as soon as you receive the confirmation letter.

How to request a Direct Debit instruction form

• By phone on 020 7926 1000 
• By email at rentbydd@lambeth.gov.uk, giving your correspondence address 
• Write to us at: 
      Direct Debit for Rent 
      Regeneration and Housing Finance 
      London Borough of Lambeth 
      Hambrook House 
      London 
      SW2 5RW 
• Pick up a form and prepaid envelope from the Brixton Customer Centre at Olive Morris House, 18 Brixton Hill 
• See a customer service officer at your Housing Area Office (excl. Brixton and Streatham).
• Download a form. Simply print it out, complete all the details and post it to the address given on the form.

If you need help in filling in your form, or require information in large print, Braille, audio tape or another language please call the Lambeth Service Centre on 020 7926 8894.

How your direct debit rent payments are calculated

When we set up your payments we divide the total annual rent by 12 to calculate a monthly payment amount.

Please note: As there are more than four weeks in some months it will be more than four times your weekly rent. 

We also take into account any rent that is outstanding at the time we take your first Direct Debit payment. Because you stop paying your rent at least two weeks before we take the first Direct Debit payment we will add the outstanding amount to your payments until the balance is cleared. The maximum we take to clear this balance is £50 a month. 

If you have a large arrears on your account your Income Officer will agree with you how much extra will be added to your rent, before we set up your Direct Debit.

Go to Important information about your Direct Debit payment page.

Your guarantee with Direct Debit

If you choose to pay by Direct Debit, all your payments are covered by this guarantee.

This guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that take part in the Direct Debit scheme. The efficiency and security of the scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society.

If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, the London Borough of Lambeth will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If an error is made by the London Borough of Lambeth, or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.

You can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to your bank or building society. Please send us a copy of your letter.