Paying your rent and bills
Have you run a home before? Need to know more about benefits you could claim?
Use this section to find out how and where to pay your bills, claim benefits, local services, councillors and getting the best gas and electricity deals, to name but a few.
Paying your rent
It's vital that you pay your rent on time, every time. Other bills are important - but if money is tight, keeping a roof over your head must be your top priority.
Depending on who your landlord is, you can pay the rent either weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
When you sign up with your new landlord, you will be asked about how you want to pay. The easiest way to pay is by Direct Debit. This saves you time and hassle, and saves us money - which means it helps to keep your rent down. You can also pay at your local Post Office, and at any shop displaying the PayPoint sign.
Most landlords also offer advice and support about managing your money.
You can find out a lot more about how and where to pay your rent by visiting the Nottingham City Homes website. From this page you can download and print off a map showing your local Post Office and shops that accept PayPoint.
Paying your bills
If you've not paid bills before or have lived in a shared house, you may not know about all the bills you need to pay. Apart from your rent you will need to pay most of the following:
- Council tax - Nottingham City Council website
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water - these will be higher in winter so you will need to allow for that)
- Phone and mobile
- Insurance (you will need to get contents insurance to protect your belongings. If you don't, and something happends to your home's contents, you will have to pay for everything yourself)
- Internet
You will need to be realistic about what you can spend your money on. There's no point splashing out on that games console or 50 inch widescreen TV you've always wanted, if you get evicted for not paying the rent!
You will need to know how to budget for what you really need.
More information
Try these sites for more help with your money.
- National Debtline website - information on working to a budget
- Money Advice Service - information on insurance, savings, pensions, comparison tables, tax and benefits
- Money Saving Expert - information on how to get the best value for just about everything
- Energy Watch - charity for consumer interests, energy help and advice
- Nottingham City Homes - lots of advice about managing your debts and useful contacts.
