When you signed your tenancy agreement, you agreed to pay your rent a week in advance. We expect this to be paid even if you receive Housing Benefit 
or Universal Credit .
Payment options
This is a convenient and automatic method. You can choose any date and frequency for your payments.
For setup assistance, call 0300 131 7300 or email IncomeTeam@isha.co.uk.
Fill out the downloadable standing order form and submit it to your blank or building society to pay your rent automatically.
To make a payment, use the following bank details:
- Account Name: Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association
- Sort Code: 20-45-93
- Account Number: 20673803
- Bank: Barclays
Please quote your rent account number for reference. This can be found on any rent or service charge notice received from ISHA.
To pay your rent by credit card or debit card, call 0300 131 7300.
If you are entitled to housing benefit or Universal Credit, you can in some circumstances have this paid directly to ISHA. Contact us on 0300 131 7300 or email IncomeTeam@isha.co.uk.
You can pay your rent by cheque by posting it to our office address:
Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association,
102 Blackstock Road, London, N4 2DR
Managing rent arrears
We offer free, confidential advice services to help you prevent rent arrears and manage existing debt. Paying rent on time is crucial to maintain good standing and avoid late fees.
To ensure smooth payments:
- Promptly contact ISHA if facing financial challenges.
- Respond to any communication from us, inform Housing
- Benefits or Universal Credit about changes in your circumstances
- Submit requested information on time
- Adhere to payment arrangements, and update standing orders when your rent changes.
Remember, consistent late payments or a lack of effort to address arrears may lead to legal action and potential eviction.
If you are struggling to pay rent, you can contact us for help and support. Call 0300 131 7300 or email IncomeTeam@isha.co.uk.
Benefit cap
The benefit cap limits the total benefits most working-age people can claim, set by the government. If affected, your housing benefit and universal credit will be reduced, requiring you to cover the rent shortfall.
If you are in receipt of income from the following benefits you will be affected by the cap:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Housing Benefit (unless you live in supported housing)
- Income support (IS)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (unless you are in the support group)
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Maternity benefits and bereavement benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP_
- Severe Disablement Allowance
If you receive any of the following benefits you may not be affected by the benefit cap:
- DLA/PIP (Under 65)
- Attendance Allowance (Over 65)
- ESA support group
- Industrial Injuries Benefit
- You are a pensioner or receive War Widows’ pension
- Carers allowance - if you are receiving this for someone, even if they don't live in your household
- Guardians allowance
- Carers elements of Universal Credit
Existing claimants of Carer's Allowance / Carers Element of UC or Guardians Allowance should have the cap removed from them from 7/11/2016
If you live in a Greater London borough, the cap will be:
- £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re in a couple, whether your children live with you or not
- £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re single and your children live with you
- £296.35 per week (£15,410 a year) if you’re single and you don’t have children, or your children don’t live with you
Claiming Housing Benefit
If you receive state benefits or have a low income, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit , administered by your local authority or council. You are responsible for ensuring your claim is processed promptly to avoid rent arrears, even if payments are made directly to us. Claims cannot usually be backdated, so submit your form to the Housing Benefit office as soon as possible and obtain a receipt.
For assistance with the form, contact our Income and Tenancy Sustainment Team on 0300 131 7300 or email IncomeTeam@isha.co.uk.
You'll need to keep the Housing Benefit office informed of any changes in your circumstances, such as starting work. You should also inform your local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office of your new address and provide proof of tenancy if you're claiming benefits.
Exclusions from your rent
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Council Tax: Your rent does not include Council Tax, which must be paid to your local authority.
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Utilities: Water rates, electricity, and gas are not included in your rent. Typically, utility companies bill you directly, though ISHA may pay Thames Water water charges in some new buildings and recharge customers. No rebates or benefits are available for water charges, but most water authorities and ISHA accept instalment payments.
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Managing large bills: If you receive a large fuel bill, contact the fuel company to arrange instalment payments. For disconnection threats, seek advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) immediately.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
We offer a variety of ways to pay your rent.
You can pay by Direct Debit, standing order, payment card, online or telephone banking, or, in an emergency, with a credit or debit card at the office. Allpay online and Housing Benefit are paid directly to ISHA.
Please let our Income and Tenancy Sustainment Team know straight away. They will offer you practical advice and guidance on accessing available services. You can contact them by calling 0300 131 7300 or emailing IncomeTeam@isha.co.uk.
We can help you by listening to what you tell us. We can agree on a suitable plan with you, inform you of other agencies that may be able to assist you and help you check if you are entitled to benefits.
Depending on the level of your arrears, we may ask you to complete an income and expenditure plan to ensure you can make the agreed payments.
Yes, we will advise your bank of any increase to your rent.
We will contact your bank so they can change the amount you pay by Direct Debit.
You will need to contact your bank to make any changes to your standing order
We will contact anyone who is in arrears whatever the amount is. We need the income from rent to continue providing our services. Other people who have rent arrears may be subject to action but you may not be aware of it.