Changes to Rent and Service Charges from April 2022

For our rented properties, the mechanism for reviewing the rent is specified in the tenancy agreement.  Our tenancy agreements state that the rent is reviewed each April.

For Market Rent customers the formula for doing this is linked to the rental figures for similar properties in the local area. For our Rent to HomeBuy (RtHB) customers, the formula for doing this is based on 80% of the Market Rent for similar properties in the local area.

We’re here to help. Our priority is to support you and prevent you getting into rent arrears. If you’re concerned about the rent increase and would like advice on claiming benefits or managing your money check out the rent help page or contact your Property Income Manager. You may be entitled to welfare benefits and other support available through our work with local foodbanks, community partners, and National Energy Action.

Our Community Investment Service can also help you to manage your household finances - from finding a job, upskilling or re-training to budgeting and help with affording utility and other bills. We can also help you get to grips with Universal Credit and debt – get in touch with us by email at community.investment@greatplaces.org.uk.

You will not have to complete a brand new claim with the Department for Work and Pensions. Once we write to inform you of the new rent Universal Credit will prompt you via your journal after Monday 1^st April so that you can advise them of your new rent and service charge (if applicable). This is the only time you need to respond about the new rent.

Please contact Housing Benefit team at your local council directly to advise of your new charges from 1^st April 2022.

Don’t worry, your direct debit will be adjusted automatically. After we write to you at the end of February notifying you of your rent increase, we will adjust your direct debit and you will receive information from Allpay to confirm your new monthly payments. If you have a repayment plan for rent arrears we will add the additional amount onto your monthly direct debit total. We will amend your new payments in line with the new charge.

We’re here to help. Get in touch with your Property Income Manager if you have rent arrears and want to discuss increasing your payments or direct debit to cover this debt.

The letters telling you of the rent increase will be sent to you in February 2022. The new rent amount will then apply from the beginning of April 2022.

Some of our homes also include a service charge for the cost of services within shared, communal areas. Service charges cover services such as window cleaning, communal gardening, maintenance of lifts and other services.

Service charges are based on the actual amount we expect services to cost each year. This means charges may go up or down as the costs of providing these services change. Customers who have a service charge will receive a detailed breakdown of their charge.