Every year, at the beginning of April, the amount of rent you pay will increase.
We send you a letter in February with details of what this means for you. Further information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found below.
If you can't find the answers you need, please get in touch.
What you'll need to do
If you pay your rent by Direct Debit, you don't need to do anything about the annual rent increase.
We’ll update your Direct Debit to match your new rent and service charges. You'll receive a notification direct from allpay – please check the details are correct.
You’ll need to contact your bank to update how much you pay based on your new rent and service charges.
If you need any help with this, please get in touch.
You’ll need to update the journal in your Universal Credit account, so the Department for Work and Pensions can adjust your payments.
If you don’t update your account, they will continue to pay the previous rent amount.
How to update your Universal Credit account:
- Log in at www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit
- Click on the ‘To-do list’ tab
- Select ‘Confirm your housing costs’ and enter the new rent amount. You should have received a letter from us detailing the updated charges for your home
- Check your journal: to confirm the update
- Don’t use the ‘Report a change of circumstances' tab.
Important: Please complete this update on or within a day or two of your rent increase date, to ensure your payment is adjusted accurately.
Updates can take up to 28 days because of the large number of people needing to do this.
If you’re unsure about the new charges or need help, please get in touch and we can confirm the details for you.
You’ll need to tell your local council about the new rent and service charges for your home.
If you receive partial Housing Benefit, which doesn’t cover the full rent amount, you’ll need to make up the difference using another payment method. Please contact your housing officer to discuss this extra amount.
You can choose to have your Housing Benefit paid directly to us. Contact your housing officer to find out more.
Annual rent increase
How your new rent is calculated varies depending on your lease.
Homes with a lease starting before 2010:
- Homes owned with the Rural Housing Association: your rent will increase by the September rate of Retail Price Inflation (RPI)
- Homes owned with emh: your rent will increase by the November rate of Retail Price Inflation (RPI)
Homes with a lease starting after 2010:
- For most leases starting after 2010 your rent increase will be subject to the February RPI plus 0.5%.
Homes with a new model post 2021 grant funded lease:
- Your rent will increase by the September RPI.
The Retail Price Index (RPI) is a measurement of inflation used to calculate cost of living by tracking changes in the cost of a fixed basket of goods over time.
You can find out more about the RPI on the Office for National Statistics website.
You will receive a letter from us in early February, confirming your new rent and (if applicable) service charges.
If you have not heard from us by 1 March, please call us on 0300 1234 009 or email enquiries@midlandsrural.org.uk
Your rent and service charge increase will apply from 1 April each year.
As a profit-for-purpose housing association, we invest every penny we collect from your rent into providing good quality homes and services.
This annual increases allow us to continue delivering services and meet our commitment to invest in more homes for the future.
A service charge is an amount you pay towards the costs of services and repairs in communal areas. This charge is in addition to your rent.
When we send you a request for service charge payment or your charge has been varied, we have to enclose a summary that sets out your rights and obligations.
Service charges – summary of rights and obligations document
Administration charges - summary of rights and obligations document
Help with your rent
If you're finding it difficult to manage your rent increase, please get in touch. We're here to help.
There are also lots of free services available online and in your community.
Take a look at the Cost of Living Guide and our support pages for further information and advice to help you manage your money and make sure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or need further assistance, please talk to your housing officer.