Your rent is increasing from 1 April 2024. In line with government guidelines, the amount you pay will go up by 7.7% on 1 April 2024.
We understand that any rent increase will not be good news. You can read about the help and support that we provide, on this page.
We wrote to you in February confirming exactly what your new rent will be from April 2024, along with any service charges payable. If you cannot find your letter, you can request details of your 2024 rent changes by completing our online form below.
What do you need to do?
If you receive Universal Credit (UC)
You should sign into your UC Journal or call the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644 to update your rent cost. You must do this from 1 April 2024.
If you receive Housing Benefit (HB)
The Benefit Office has been notified about your new rent.
If your circumstances have not changed, you do not need to contact the Benefit Office.
Useful links
Find more advice about benefits.
More information about Housing Benefit.
More information about Universal Credit.
Always here for you
We understand the challenges that families are facing, as rents and other household costs continue to increase.
If you are worried about money, we are here to help.
Our confidential money advice service could help you to reduce your household bills and is free to use.
We can check you are receiving the right benefits and support you to make a new claim. And if you would like to boost your employment prospects, we can help you to find and apply for jobs and prepare for interviews.
You can also find helpful tips and information about saving money, keeping homes warm and how to stay safe here:
Further advice
You can also access support from Citizens Advice by visiting their website –www.citizensadvice.org.uk
StepChange debt charity has a team of experts who can help with debt problems – www.stepchange.org
If you are struggling with your mental health there are number of charities that offer help, including Mind – www.mind.org.uk
What is social and affordable rent?
As a not-for-profit landlord, most of our homes are available at social or affordable rents, which will be lower than the rent for similar privately rented properties. These rents are set by government. They can be charged weekly or monthly and are reviewed annually. We write to customers during February, with an individual review for each tenancy account. Rent changes take place from 1 April each year.
How is my rent calculated?
Social and affordable rents are calculated using a standard formula, which is why you will sometimes hear this kind of tenancy called ‘formula rent’. Rent is based on:
- The value of your home
- Number of bedrooms
- Average earnings in the area
- Location of the property
How can I pay my rent?
We offer different ways to pay your rent, so that you can choose the option that works best for you.
For ways to pay your rent, please see our pay my rent page.
My rent calendar shows 53 weeks this year, why is this?
In 2024/25 your total annual rent will be charged over 49* weeks. No rent is charged in week numbers 39, 40, 52 and 53.
*Every five years, rent is charged over 49 weeks to allow for leap years when there are 53 weeks in the financial year rather than 52. (Your rent is normally charged over 48 weeks.)
*If you pay your rent by Direct Debit, your rent free weeks have already been taken into account. If you pay by Direct Debit, you will be sent a payment schedule showing the amounts due and the dates your rent payment will be collected from your bank account.
I have received my Direct Debit instruction and it is more than I expected. Why is this?
As part of the terms and conditions of your tenancy you are required to pay rent in advance. This has been calculated into this year’s direct debit payments. The number of weeks will be determined by your legacy landlord and the terms and conditions within your tenancy agreement.
There have been two weeks added to my direct debit payments over the year, but my tenancy agreement only states I need to be one week in advance, what should I do?
Please contact us to discuss your payments. We can check your tenancy agreement and amend if an error has occurred.
I have received my direct debit instruction, and I cannot afford the rent in advance added onto my payments. What should I do?
We are here to help! Please contact us and we will work with you and your individual circumstances.
My rent schedule includes a service charge, what is this for?
Some tenancies include service charges. Any service charges are shown in the rent schedule you receive each February.
A service charge is a payment towards the cost of communal areas and services outside your home. We do not make any profit from service charges and you only pay for the services you receive.
These are examples of some of the shared services which are covered by these charges:
- Employing a caretaker
- Cleaning shared areas and removing rubbish
- Looking after communal gardens, including cutting the grass
- Repairing shared facilities like door entry systems, lifts and lighting
- Fire safety including repairing and testing some alarms in entry areas, stairways and corridors
Where we provide a service that is shared by a number of customers, the amount that we charge is the total cost of that service divided by the number of tenants who benefit from it.