Thirteen Group, a significant housing association in the northern region of England, has embraced open banking as a payment solution for its residents.
Becoming the first social landlord in England and Wales to adopt this approach, Thirteen Group initiated this move through an ongoing partnership with PayPoint. The implementation began mid-2024, following established collaboration.
This new system enables tenants to make real-time direct payments from their bank accounts without needing card details or filling out forms. Officials at Thirteen emphasize that the integration is part of a broader initiative aimed at simplifying rent collection and enhancing digital services for residents.
Digital tools streamline payment processes
The partnership between Thirteen Group and PayPoint has already led to the introduction of various digital tools, such as PayByLink. This feature allows staff to send pre-filled payment links via SMS, making transactions easier for users. Additionally, a dedicated payments app was launched, enabling customers to pay directly from their personal devices.
Since its implementation, Thirteen has observed a 14% reduction in cash payments, indicating an increasing preference for digital methods. The app also supports barcode-based transactions available at over 30,000 PayPoint locations across the United Kingdom. This feature helps Thirteen to minimize reliance on costly plastic rent cards.
Thirteen’s integration of open banking technology aims to reduce transaction processing costs and align with its goal of offering more flexible and accessible payment experiences.
A representative from PayPoint views this initiative as a strategic move in expanding open banking across diverse sectors. The company notes that such adoption within housing services demonstrates the versatility of the technology and supports digital transformation efforts.
According to Thirteen, the new payment method enhances its aim to provide more accessible and secure rent payment options, contributing to more efficient operations overall.
