Ways to pay your rent
Direct Debit
The easy way to pay your rent on time. You can choose to pay by Direct Debit weekly or monthly.
Pay Online
You can also make a card payment online.
To do this you will need:
- your rent account reference number
- the amount to pay
- and a debit or credit card to hand
Please click on payment type: Housing/Garages/ Leaseholders.
Please note: From now, our payment page will look different, as it’s been updated to offer you extra security when making online payments.
Pay by Phone
To make a payment via our automated payment line, please call 0300 330 7003 and press * (star key) option at any time. Please make sure you have your unique tenancy reference number handy.
Click on the sections below to read more
We are here to help
If you’re not able to pay your rent, talk to us as soon as possible.
There are a number of organisations who provide free, confidential and non-judgemental money advice. You can find details of these organisations in our managing your money and benefits sections.
Universal Credit
You can also visit our Universal Credit page for help and advice on making a benefit claim.
Payzone and Post Office
Cash payments can be made at most outlets where you see the Payzone sign.
You can take a letter or statement with you which displays the Payzone barcode, or you can use your Housing Rent Swipe Card (if you need a letter to be sent to you, please call 0300 330 7003).
Standing Order
You can set up a bank standing order payment through your bank. Payment should be made to West Northamptonshire Council’s account quoting your rent account reference number with any payment.
West Northamptonshire Council
Barclays Bank
Sort Code 20-17-68
Account 70509035
If you’re unsure about setting up a Direct Debit payment online, you can complete this Direct Debit form at home and bring it in to the Guildhall next time you visit us, or phone our Rent Income Team on 0300 330 7003.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is available to help meet the cost of rent and service charge payments. It is a means tested benefit, which means that entitlement is calculated by taking into account your income and savings, as well as whether anyone else lives in the household and the amount of their income.
If you think you may be entitled to Housing Benefit you should apply as soon as possible because housing benefit will only be paid from the date of your application. The quickest way to apply for Housing benefit is by doing so online.
If you need any assistance or help to apply for housing benefit please contact us.
Universal Credit
Visit our UC page to find out more.
Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme
The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme was introduced to provide financial support for those on a low income who may need further help with their housing costs.
Help through the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme is only available for tenants who are or were in receipt of Housing Benefit and need additional financial support to pay their rent. You cannot receive more than the shortfall in your weekly eligible rent.
The amount awarded is entirely at the discretion of West Northamptonshire Council’s Housing Benefit Team. Each application will be assessed on its individual circumstances.
You can apply online, or contact us on 0300 330 7003 and we can assist you with an application.
You can view your rent account online on Your NPH.
You will need to register if you’ve not done so before.
Advantage Weeks (Rent Free Weeks)
NPH tenants can benefit from Rent Free Weeks, also known as Advantage Weeks.
To be eligible for a rent free week, your rent account must be clear at the time of the offer and not owe any rent.
There are 4 Advantage Weeks each year.
The free weeks for 2025/26 are as follows:
Week 21 – 25th August 2025
Week 38 – 22nd December 2025
Week 39 – 29th December 2025
Week 52 – 30th March 2026
The Rental Exchange and your data
Renters sometimes struggle to get affordable loans, a mortgage and credit cards or to open bank accounts. Often this is because they do not have a credit history. If you want to buy something on credit, then it helps to have a track record of paying off credit agreements. Companies use credit history to assess your ability to pay before making a lending decision.
Having a good credit history also helps to provide proof of your identity, where you live and where you have lived before. This can help you access a range of goods and services online, including getting the best deals on mobile phones, TV and broadband packages and car insurance.
Homeowners with a mortgage have an advantage as their mortgage payment history can count towards their credit history and we believe that your rent payment history should be used in the same way to help you access more affordable credit. There is a public interest in the sharing of data into Rental Exchange for these purposes, which forms our legal ground for the sharing of this data into the Rental Exchange. Landlords who share data into Rental Exchange will have a legitimate interest in being able to make use of this data to support better informed tenancy decisions.
We have teamed up with Experian to take part in The Rental Exchange. The Rental Exchange is a way to strengthen your credit report without you needing to take on new credit. The scheme enables us to share details about the rent you pay with Experian on a monthly basis. This is then included in your credit report, meaning you will then be recognised for paying your rent on time. We share your tenancy information with Experian, including your track record for paying your rent, unless you tell us not to.
You don’t need to do anything. We will share your tenancy information with Experian, including your track record for paying your rent, unless you tell us not to. You can request to opt out of us sharing your tenancy information with Experian by emailing preferences@nph.org.uk or calling NPH on 0300 330 7003 at any time. Please note depending upon when we receive your request to opt out, your tenancy information may already have been shared with Experian for the prior month. We understand that in some circumstances there may be rent arrears. Where this is the case we will work with you to address it. Paying your rent on time could help you to access cheaper products and services in the future.
Rental Exchange privacy notice
Not only will we be able to work with you more closely to manage your existing tenancy agreement, your track record as a tenant will enable Experian to use the information supplied to them to assist other landlords and organisations to:
- assess and manage any new tenancy agreements you may enter into;
- assess your financial standing to provide you with suitable products and services;
- manage any accounts that you may already hold, for example reviewing suitable products or adjusting your product in light of your current circumstances;
- contact you in relation to any accounts you may have and recovering debts that you may owe;
- verifying your identity, age and address, to help other organisations make decisions about the services they offer;
- help to prevent crime, fraud and money laundering;
- screen marketing offers to make sure they are appropriate to your circumstances;
- enable Experian to undertake statistical analysis, analytics and profiling; and
- enable Experian to conduct system and product testing and database processing activities, such as data loading, data matching and data linkage.
If you would like to see more information on these, and to understand how the credit reference agencies each use and share rental data as bureau data (including the legitimate interests each pursues) this information is provided here (Credit Reference Agency Information Notice (CRAIN). For a paper copy, please get in touch with us on 0300 330 7003 or with Experian directly.
If your NPH rent account is in credit you might be able to get a refund.
This is what you need to know if you think a rent refund might be due.
• Call the contact centre on 0300 330 7003 to discuss your refund. You must be the rent account holder and confirm your bank details – account and sort code number. Refunds can only be paid to a bank account (BACS), there is no cash or voucher equivalent or alternative
• It will take 5 weeks to calculate whether you are eligible for a refund. This is because we must wait until that month’s payment is received and credited to your rent account before we can begin the calculation
• You may not be entitled to a refund if you are in receipt of full housing benefit (HB). If you are in receipt of HB your account will be subject to a full set of checks to establish if a refund is eligible. Please allow time for these checks to be made
• If you are on Universal Credit, please contact us to discuss if you are eligible for a refund
• We will need to ensure there is at least a month’s worth of rent on your account, so you do not go into debt
• If your rent statement shows credit at the beginning of the month, it could be one month’s full rent which would not entitle you to a refund
What happens when a Rent Account Holder Dies
When a rent account holder dies the account is known as a deceased account. Under new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Regulations there are strict controls in place for tightening of Refund Indemnity Claims – these are refund claims after a rent account holder has died. The next of kin should complete this form and email it to:rentaccounting.nph@nph.org.uk
Or post the form to:
Rent Accounting
West Northampton Council
(NPH)
The Guildhall
St Giles Square
Northampton NN1 1DE
Below are the specific criteria required when there is a request for a refund of credit on a tenancy:
1. The tenancy does not end when the tenant dies, the only people who can end it are:
a) An Executor – this is someone named in a will as the person who will deal with everything owned by the deceased: or
b) An Administrator – this is someone who has applied to the Probate Registry and obtained Letters of Administration (sometimes called the Grant of Probate): or
c) WNC or NPH (acting on behalf of WNC).
2. To give notice the Executor or Administrator, they must provide:
a) The original death certificate or an interim confirmation of death
b) A copy of the relevant section of the will, giving proof that the person giving notice is the executor; or copies of the court documents appointing the administrator.
c) Termination of Tenancy form here
d) Completed Indemnity form (by the Executor and Administrator)
e) The tenancy will then end 4 weeks after the dated form.
f) If the tenancy is in credit, this can then be refunded to the Executor or Administrator, via the Indemnity form. (If a) and b) are not provided the monies will not be released).
3. To give notice with no Executor or Administrator, then
a) WNC / NPH (acting on behalf of WNC) should serve Notice on the Public Trustee’s Office to end the tenancy.
b) The tenancy will then end 4 weeks after the Notice is served.
Please Note: If there is more than one Executor, you will require permission from all the listed Executors to issue a refund to a sole Executor, if not releasing monies via solicitors.
For further information about ending a tenancy click here.
If you would like to get more information about how to get a rent refund please call the contact centre on: 0300 330 7003 and ask to speak to the Rent Accounting team.
