Rent and service charges

Your rent will increase from 29 April 2024 unless you became a Habinteg tenant on or after 1 April 2023, in which case your rent will increase on 1 April 2024.
 

In keeping with government guidelines for social housing landlords, Habinteg rents will rise by the rate of inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which is the official measure of inflation in consumer prices in the UK, plus 1%. 

The government required Habinteg to apply the CPI - which was 6.7% - in September 2023. Plus 1%, and that gives a maximum total rent increase of 7.7%.

The increase in rent is necessary to ensure Habinteg maintain your home to the Decent Homes Standard as set out by the UK Government. This means keeping homes in a reasonable state of repair and having reasonably modern facilities and services available for all tenants.

The increase also reflects the rising costs Habinteg pays in maintaining your homes and providing services. It will allow us to continue to make improvements to services and your neighbourhoods. Building materials, labour and maintenance are areas where many social housing providers are still seeing increased costs.

With energy prices rising significantly since 2022, we have also had to budget for higher utility bills.

Rents can differ between similar properties for a few reasons, which includes the date that your tenancy began and the type of tenancy you have.

If you want further information about the rent on your property, you can speak to our Rent Assist Team. Call 0300 365 3100 and ask for them.

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you’ll need to log on to your Universal Credit Journal, click on the section ‘Tenant’s To Do’ and update your rent charges. You need to do that as soon as possible to avoid delays in your payments.

You may also be eligible to have some or all your service charge paid for through Universal Credit.

You don’t need to do anything. Your direct debit will change from 29 April 2024 (or 1 April 2024).

If you pay your rent by standing order, please change your standing order effective from your first payment on or after 29 April 2024 (or 1 April 2024). If you pay monthly, the Rent Assist Team can help you work out what your new payment should be amended to.

To speak to Rent Assist, call 0300 365 3100 and ask for them.

If you’re claiming Housing Benefit, please send a copy of your rent letter Notice to your local Housing Benefit Office immediately. They will adjust the benefit paid, whether it’s paid to you or direct to Habinteg.

You may also be eligible to have some or all your service charge paid for through Housing Benefit.

Service charges have gone up due to increases in gas and electricity prices, which have affected us all, and their impact on communal heating. If you have domestic gas and electricity provided through the service charge, the impact will be even greater.

Habinteg does not make any profit on service charges. 

If you need more information about how your service charge is calculated, please read our Service Charge Guide or speak with your Neighbourhood Team. They can also provide a paper copy of the Service Charge Guide.

We're here to support you in any way we can. Our Rent Assist Team can help you explore your benefits and income options, and we have a Tenant Support Fund that may be able to assist, depending on your circumstances.

You can reach out to our Rent Assist Team by calling 0300 365 3100 and asking for them or by emailing them at HereToHelp@habinteg.org.uk.