How is your rent calculated?

We send out rent letters during March to show your new weekly rent amount for this coming financial year from the first Monday in April to 31 March the following year.

If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.

Weekly payers

If you pay your rent to us weekly, please pay the new weekly amount shown on your rent letter from 7 April 2025.

Monthly payers

To calculate your monthly payment amount, you need to multiply the new weekly rent by 52 (weeks in the year) and divide it by 12 (months). For example:

• Weekly rent of £100 x 52 weeks = £5200
• £5200 / 12 months = £433.33 per calendar month

Please let your bank know the new amount to send us if you pay by standing order or update yourself on your banking app.

Direct Debit payments

If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.

Universal Credit recipients

Notifying the DWP about a change to your rent.

If you claim Universal Credit (UC), you must tell the DWP about your new rent charge. You can call them on 0800 328 5644 or, if you have an online UC account, you can report this change via your journal. You should also be prompted by UC to do this. 

If you need help with this please complete our tenancy management contact form or call us on 01455 238141.

If a change to your rent means that you are entitled to more universal credit, this may not be backdated if you don't report the change straight away. If the change results in less universal credit entitlement and you report the change late, you will be asked to pay back any money you have been overpaid.

If you currently pay rent by Direct Debit and claim Universal Credit 

If you have a Direct debit set for the 1st or 8th of the month, we don’t collect these direct debit payments in April. If you receive your regular rent payment from UC in April, you can make your April payment directly to us by phoning the Council or paying online.  

If you have a direct debit set up for any shortfall after the Universal Credit payments, please contact the Rents Team as we may need to adjust this figure for the next financial year as the shortfall may have altered. 

Housing benefit 

Housing benefit payments will adjust automatically with the rent increase. You do not need to do anything.

Help, support and advice

If you are struggling with your payments, or would like support or help budgeting, please get in touch with us by completing our tenancy management contact form or calling 01455 238 141. We have dedicated officers who can support you with navigating the rising cost of living, call and ask to speak to the welfare team on 01455 238 141 or fill out our cost of living form

Last updated: 31/03/2025 15:48