Rent and service charge reviews 2023

All tenants should have now received a letter giving you notice of a change in your weekly rent and charges from Monday 3 April 2023.

The government sets the amount housing associations can increase their rents by each year. Annual rent increases are normally set at rate of inflation in September, plus 1%.

This year’s increase

Following government guidelines published in November 2022, this year, the annual increase has been set at 7%, which is reflected in your new rent charge.

Increasing the rent by a lower amount, for example 5%, would have resulted in delays to planned improvements, and reductions in our customer services staff.

Habinteg CEO Nick Apetroaie said: “For every pound we planned to spend on repairs and improvements, we now have to spend up to £1.15.”

“We’re doing our best to balance the need for maintenance, and improvements, with the affordability of rent. Every penny of rent we receive is reinvested in running Habinteg and looking after your homes and we and we are committed to carrying out the programme of improvements to your homes that we outlined in our corporate strategy, Towards 2026 .”

What do you need to do now?

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

Some or all of your service charge may also be eligible for Universal Credit.

If you’re claiming Housing Benefit, please send a copy of your rent increase letter and Notice to your local Housing Benefit Office immediately.

They will adjust the benefit paid, whether it is paid either to you or direct to the Habinteg. Some or all of your service charge may also be eligible for Housing Benefit.

You can also check your rent balance and transactions by using our online rent account service for tenants at www.habinteg.org.uk/rentaccount.

Support is available

If you’re worried about your finances, don’t forget, support is available to you. Our Rent Assist team can help you understand your benefits options, and we have a Tenant Support Fund that may be able to assist with essential household items.

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

If you haven’t received your letter and notice, you have questions or would like your letter and notice provided in a different format or language, please contact Habinteg Direct on 0300 365 3100, or email direct@habinteg.org.uk.

You will also find more information about the rent and service charge review at www.habinteg.org.uk/rent-and-service-charges.