Tenants get mobile rent payment app

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Finance

A housing association has introduced a smartphone rent payment application for tenants on the move.

Raglan Housing -  which manages 12,320 homes across England - is offering the app developed by payment solutions company allpay, which is a free download for Apple and Android phones.

Once downloaded tenants can store all their payment reference numbers, band card details and payment amounts so they do not have to enter them every time they want to make a payment.

Raglan's rent arrears are currently at 4.04% (around £2 million) and it is hoped that the app will help to lower the figure.

Charlie Bessant, Raglan’s Senior Credit Controller responsible for the collection of rents, said: "As a housing association that aims to provide excellent customer service we welcome any initiative that will make life easier for our tenants.
 
"Raglan residents already have a variety of ways to pay their rent by using the allpay methods or direct to us by cheque, standing order or direct debit. The mobile phone app will give tenants another quicker and more convenient option that fits in with their lifestyle while allowing us to meet e-government targets for payment service accessibility."

Raglan houses some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society, and owns and manages a number of refuges for vulnerable women as well as a hostel for the homeless in Poole.

According to allpay, 41% of the UK population now owns a smartphone and ownership is expected to grow to over 20 million in the next few years.