Which feature describes a standing order as a method of payment?

A standing order is a reliable and consistent method of payment that is set up to occur automatically on a regular schedule. This feature is particularly useful for payments that are the same amount and need to be made consistently, such as monthly rent or subscription fees. By establishing this arrangement, individuals or businesses can ensure that their payments are made on time without the need for regular manual intervention.

Since the standing order requires the payer to authorize a specific amount to be paid at predetermined times, the other options become less applicable. For instance, payments made only on request, require multiple authorizations, or vary each month do not align with the structured and predictable nature of standing orders. Therefore, the defining characteristic is indeed the regularity and timing of the payments established by the standing order.