Configure self service to decide which changes residents can make on their own in the customer portal. By enabling self service, you give your customers more transparency and reduce the load on your support team.
In Zero Friction
You can find everything related to self service in Configuration > Customer portal > Self service.
In the customer portal
Your customers can update their details in My details > Change details.
Available options
Below is a list of all available options and how your customers see them in the customer portal.
General
Move in and move out
Allow residents to start a move-in or move-out from the customer portal.
When this option is on, you can also turn on Make birthdate mandatory. This requires private customers to provide their birthdate before completing a move-in.
Advance amount
Change the advance amount
Allow residents with an active contract to request a change to their advance amount.
Set the Adjustable range to define how far the amount may move from the current advance. Choose the range type, then enter the minimum and maximum values. For example, a percentage range of 90% to 160% lets the resident select an amount between 90% and 160% of their current advance.
Turn this option off when advance changes should only be handled by your team.
Customer details
Title and initials
Allow residents to update their title and initials.
Billing address
Allow residents to update the billing address used on invoices. This does not change the supply address.
Communication
Allow residents to update their communication email address. The email address used to sign in to the customer portal cannot be changed here.
Telephone
Allow residents to update their telephone number.
Communication language
Allow residents to change their communication language in My details.
Payments
⚠️ Payment related self service is not available for UK based organizations due to the use of a different payment provider
Payment method and IBAN
Allow residents to manage their payment method and bank account number (IBAN).
When this option is on, changes are recorded in the activity feed and the resident receives a confirmation email after submitting a change.
You can also turn on Only SCT → SDD to allow a change from SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) to SEPA Direct Debit (SDD), but not the other way round.
Direct debit
How the mandate is recorded
When a resident switches from bank transfer to direct debit in the customer portal, they enter their IBAN and tick the box confirming they authorise the automatic collection of amounts due. Without that checkbox, they cannot save the change.
After saving, the following happens in Zero Friction:
A mandate is created on the resident's bank account, with a unique mandate number from your number range, the type CORE (recurring SEPA direct debit), and the date of the authorisation.
The customer's payment method becomes SDD. This change appears in the activity feed, noting that it was made through the customer portal.
The resident receives a confirmation email with the new account number and payment method. Configuration > Communication > Templates > Self-service: Bank details
If the resident later changes their IBAN, the old mandate is cancelled and kept in the mandate history, and the new IBAN is given a new mandate with a new mandate number. If the IBAN stays the same, the existing mandate simply remains active.
Your Creditor ID is on your company account in Zero Friction. It is sent to your bank in the collection file with every collection, together with the mandate number and the mandate date.
Is a signature required? No. The SEPA rules do not prescribe any particular form of signing. What matters is that, as the creditor, you hold a complete and demonstrable mandate. Zero Friction keeps track of the mandates and their history, and thereby acts as your mandate register.
Collection day
Allow residents to select or change the day of the month on which their direct debit is collected.
Turn this option off when the collection day is set and managed by your team.
Email confirmations
Your customers always receive a confirmation email when a change is made.
You can customize these emails in Configuration > Templates > Customer portal.
Meter readings
Residents can view the latest available meter reading for their contract, including the reading date, meter serial number and reading source. When no reading is available, the portal shows an explanation instead of a zero value.
You can find this in Consumption > Measurements.
Questions and answers
Can residents change every account detail?
No. Residents can only use the self-service options you have enabled. The available actions can also depend on the resident's contract.
Can residents change their sign-in email address?
No. The Email option changes the communication email address, not the email address used to sign in to the customer portal.
What does Only SCT → SDD mean?
It allows a resident to change their payment method from SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) to SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) only. It does not allow a change from SDD to SCT.
Do residents receive confirmation emails?
Yes. Residents receive a confirmation email after submitting supported payment-detail changes.
Why can a resident not see an option?
The option may be turned off, or it may not be available for that resident's contract. Check the self-service configuration before advising them.
Is a mandate given through the customer portal legally valid?
Yes. A SEPA mandate does not have to be given on paper or with a signature, as long as it is recorded completely and demonstrably. As the creditor, you remain responsible for your mandates. Align your approach with your bank where necessary.
Can a resident reverse a direct debit?
Yes. A resident can have a direct debit reversed within 8 weeks through their bank, without giving a reason. If they believe they never gave authorisation, this is possible up to 13 months after the debit. In both cases, the underlying invoice remains due.
Where do I find a resident's mandate?
On the customer's bank account in Zero Friction. There you can see the active mandate and, under the history, any previously cancelled mandates



















