Your rent
Your rent is due every Monday and if you choose to pay fortnightly or monthly, it will need to be paid in advance. Find out more about ways to pay.
We will review your rent each year. If it goes up, we’ll write to you at least 4 weeks in advance of the increase. Any rent increases usually start in the first week of April.
From 1 April 2024, rent will increase by 7.7% (the Consumer Price Index (CPI at September 2023 rate plus 1%). This is in line with the Government guidelines for setting social housing rent.
Your weekly rent is made up of:
- net social housing rent
- service charges
- heating and hot water
Your weekly rent is made up of Net social housing rent, Service charges & Heating and hot water detailed below.
Net social housing rent
This is the basic charge for your home. This is generally reviewed each year and any increase meets strict guidelines set by the Government. The sum due also depends on the value, size and facilities of the property.
Service charges
These are charges for shared facilities in your building/estate such as:
- cleaning
- grounds maintenance
- communal electricity (i.e. for lighting)
- caretaking
- concierge (if applicable)
- CCTV (if applicable)
Heating and hot water
These costs are for communal heating where it is shared with other households. Otherwise you will pay for your energy directly to the gas/electricity supplier
The separate amounts which make up the total weekly charge are shown in the statement we send you annually and any time there is a change to the amount you need to pay.
Please note from April 2020, tenants will pay Thames Water for their water instead of within their rent. Find out more within our water billing changes FAQ guide.
Calculating your rent and changes in charges
We are responsible for calculating your rent. Your rent is based on the value of your home, average income for the area and Government guidelines. The higher the value of your property, the higher the amount of rent you will pay.
To protect you from large rent increases, the Government has capped the amount your rent can increase in any one year.
Your responsibilities for paying rent are set out in your tenancy agreement. This is also outlined in your tenant handbook.
If your rent charges are due to change, we will tell you in writing and detail the changes within a statement at least four weeks before the change is due.
Struggling to pay your rent?
Your rent is one of the most important payments you will need to make but we appreciate that your circumstances can change. If you ever fall behind with your rent, don’t ignore it. We appreciate that it can be a difficult and stressful situation but telling us first can be the first step in the right direction.
If you're struggling to pay your rent, contact us straight away. Find out more about support and benefits available.
