Rents are changing from April 2024 – here’s all you need to know!
Every April, housing association rents change across the country. Here’s the lowdown on the key headlines from this year, and what the changes might mean for you.
What’s happening, and why?
Social housing rents are reviewed annually using Government guidance. To calculate the increase, we use the September 2023 Consumer Price Index (which this year was 6.7%), plus 1%. This means that rents usually go up by slightly more than the rate of inflation.
Rent for most Great Places customers will increase by 7.7% in April. Some rents are set on different formulas, depending on your tenancy agreements.
The cost of improving our customers’ homes and investing in communities has increased significantly and as a result we have taken the difficult decision to increase rents to cover the additional costs. We understand that some of our customers may be struggling with the increased cost of living, so please reach out to us if you need support.
At the time customers receive their rent booklet, inflation will be lower than the level we use to calculate the rent increase. Based on the guidance, housing associations have to use the September Consumer Price Index to set our rents.
We are producing booklets for all our customers that will outline what your updated rent (and service charge, if you pay one) will be, as well as providing more information on what this pays for and our services. These should be landing with everyone before the end of February, so please look out for yours and get in touch if you have any queries.
This year, we’re planning to increase what we spend on our customers’ homes to improve energy efficiency to help reduce the cost of your bills, improve ventilation to prevent issues caused by excess moisture, replace old kitchens and bathrooms and carry out minor and major repairs.
Look out for your rent booklet
Every year we write to all of our customers to let them know how they are impacted by the changes in rents and service charges. This year, instead of the information we bring in the usual printed letter format, the content will be presented in a designed booklet that will have more tailored information for customers depending on their different circumstances. We hope that you’ll find this format more useful and relevant than in previous years.
If you’re claiming Universal Credit
We charge your rent weekly, but Universal Credit is assessed and paid monthly. Universal Credit will only pay for a maximum of 52 weeks in a single rent year. For 2024-2025 there are 53 rent weeks, with the 53rd week falling on 31 March 2025. If you’re paying by Universal Credit, please make additional contributions towards your rent to cover this shortfall for this final week which Universal Credit will not pay.
Worried about paying your charges?
We’re here to help
If you’re struggling to pay your rent, please reach out to us. We are here to help and will do what we can to support you. Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk/supportingyou to access a whole range of advice covering things like Universal Credit, support available in your area and information on employment and training opportunities.
Make hassle-free payments with Direct Debit
We’ve made it even easier to pay by Direct Debit any time of day, seven days of the week. Get in touch through Chatabot at greatplaces.org.uk. Or call our Customer Hub and we’ll help you get set up. Nearly 14,000 customers are already taking advantage of this quick and easy way to make payment.
Do you have any questions?
We’ve produced a frequently asked questions document – check it out by clicking the link below, and please get in touch in the usual ways if you have any further queries.
Check our most frequently asked questions for answers.