Your rent

How is my rent set?

The rent increase is set by government policy linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)+1% for social and affordable rents. Shared ownership rents are set based on the terms of your lease. Historically, this has been based on the Retail Price Index (RPI)+ 0.5% for most leases (the percentage may differ in some leases). Most new leases are based on CPI+1%.

CPI measures the average change in the cost of consumer goods and services over time (in this case, over a year). Simply put, CPI looks at how much we’re paying for everyday items, whether that’s the food we buy or things like getting our hair cut.

RPI is a measure of inflation, which means the rate that prices for goods and services are rising over time (in this case, over a year).

How much will I pay?

You can find the exact amount you’ll pay each week in the letter we sent you explaining your new rent and other charges. You can also visit our customer portal, My Abri, to check your rent statement and manage your account.

If you have not yet set up your Customer Portal Account it’s simple, all you need is your Tenancy Reference and go to www.myabri.co.uk and follow the instructions.

What are Service Charges?

If we offer a service, like cleaning or maintaining a building where you live (for example, lifts and CCTV) it costs us money. So we ask that through service charges, you help us keep these services going. We don’t make any money from this.

Paying Your Rent

Paying using your Customer Portal Account

An easy way to pay your rent is to log into your Customer Portal Account.  Payments will show straight away on your rent account, and you can view your balance quickly and easily.

Paying by Direct Debit

Direct Debit is another easy way to pay. We can set up your Direct Debit quickly over the phone, or we could send you a mandate form. We offer Direct Debits on most dates, and we will amend your payments for you when your rent changes each year and will let you know in advance when this happens. Once the Direct Debit is set up, your rent will be automatically paid from your bank account without you having to do anything. Your rent account will be credited on the same day that the payment leaves your bank account.

If you would like to set up a Direct Debit, please call us on 0300 123 1567 or message us on your customer portal account at www.myabri.co.uk.

Other ways to pay

You can also pay your rent:

• By debit or credit card over the phone – call us on 0300 123 1567.
• By standing order: you can set this up at your bank with the following details - Sort Code: 40-06-09, Account 00724556, Bank Address: Octavia Housing, HSBC, 90 Baker Street, London, W1U 6AX. Please ensure that you include your tenancy reference number with the payment so our finance team can post the payment onto your rent account.
• At a PayPoint or Payzone store using an Octavia swipe card with cash or a debit/credit card.
• NB: Please continue to use your Octavia card. If your card needs replacing in the future, you will be issued with an Abri card.
• By Allpay - call 033 0041 6497 with your allpay reference number and debit/credit card. Allpay is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

I'm worried I won't be able to pay my rent, what do I do?

We understand that any increase in your rent is worrying. If you’re struggling, please contact us. We’re here to help and have lots of support available. Please be aware that we have specialist teams who are on hand to listen, advise and support you. All you need to do is get in touch. You can do that by logging onto the customer portal, My Abri, and sending us a message. Or if you prefer to have a chat over the phone, please give us a call on 0300 123 1567.

How to get In touch with us

You get in touch by calling our Customer Contact Team, sending a message through your Customer Portal Account at My Abri  or by our online form.