Your rent 2024/25 - Frequently Asked Questions
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A list of FAQs regarding your rent increase for 2024/25
Why are you increasing my rent?
Your rent and service charges are reviewed annually. We follow rules set by the Government when we calculate any changes to your rent each year.
Last year, the Government put in place a rent cap of 7% for 2022/23, which will end in March 2024. This year, the Government has taken the decision revert to its old rent setting formula for 2024/25 – based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September 2023, plus 1%. The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation which measures changes in the prices of goods. In September, the CPI was 6.7%. This means we’ll be increasing your rent by 7.7% from April 2024.
The money we get from our rents is our main source of income, and pays for the services we deliver and the improvements we make in your homes.
Do you have to increase my rent?
No, we don’t have to increase your rent. All the money we receive from the rent you pay is reinvested into your homes and services. Your rent does need to increase to maintain services such as repairs and improvements to your home; improving energy efficiency as well as management and support services. You can learn more about how your money was spent during 2022/23 in our Customer Annual Report.
Unfortunately, we have also seen our own costs rise during the last 12 months. This has included the cost of materials we use to carry out repairs to existing homes, as well as rising energy costs.
If we keep your rent as it is, we would have to make some tough choices to invest less in our existing homes or look at reducing some of the services you value the most - and we don’t think this would be fair.
When will my rent increase?
The increase will start from 1 April 2024.
I pay a service charge, do the same increases apply?
The same increases do not necessarily apply to service charges. Some service charges may increase, but those charges are always based on the actual costs of the services provided.
What will you spend the additional rental income on?
In 2024/25 we will continue to spend millions on the repairs and maintenance of our existing homes. We’ll spend £11.3 million on investment works, including almost 500 new kitchens, 400 new boilers, 500 new doors, 200 window replacements and 300 new bathrooms. We will also continue to invest in fire safety works and will carry out 11,902 gas inspections. We’re also investing to make homes eco-friendlier and more energy-efficient, part of our long-term challenge to become net-zero carbon by 2050.
What do I do if I can’t afford the increase?
If you’re experiencing difficulties paying your rent or any other personal circumstances are making this difficult for you, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.
Our priority is to support tenants to remain in their homes. If you have any concerns about being able to afford the increase, please contact your Housing Executive who will have a range of options available to them including a referral to our Money Matters team. Money Matters are a dedicated money advice service who can support you, help you manage your finances and help to maximise your income. The team can also offer budgeting advice and offer support to help meet rising utility costs. We can also help you get to grips with Universal Credit and debt. Our friendly Money Matters team offer a confidential, judgement-free service.
What if I disagree with the rent increase?
The rent increase has been set in accordance with guidance set out by the regulator for social housing and agreed by our Board. The base rent is set by a regulated formula and is dependent on your property type and location, it is possible to complain and appeal but we will not amend rents based on any other factor.
To make a complaint please email complaints@wrekin.com or visit Compliment or complaint | The Wrekin Housing Group to find out more.
I claim Universal Credit: will I have to re-apply? Will delays in re-applying mean I build up rent arrears?
You will not have to complete a brand-new claim with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, once we write to let you know the new rent, you will need to inform them via your Universal Credit (UC) journal. This needs to be done on or after 1 April 2024. It is important that you do this within the assessment period that your rent increase starts from.
UC claimants should only update their new rent costs, when the 'Confirm your housing costs' message appears on the UC journal ‘To-do List’ from the DWP. This should not be done until after 1 April, but it must be done before the end of your monthly assessment period, in which the rent change occurred.
Is my rent charged over 52 weeks?
As your landlord, The Wrekin Housing Group charges your rent weekly. Occasionally (about every five to six years) the rent year has 53 weeks instead of 52 weeks, to keep in line with the calendar year.
This will be the case in 2024/2025. This means from 1 April 2024, you will need to pay for 53 Mondays – which is the day your rent week starts – rather than 52.
For further information, click here.
What if Universal Credit doesn’t cover the rent increase?
Please get in touch with your Housing Executive. Our Money Matters team can help you budget for the increase, or in some cases you may be eligible for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to help you cover any shortfall. The Money Matters team can help you make the application for DHP.
My rent is paid by Housing Benefit. Do I need to do anything?
If we receive Housing Benefit towards your rent, you do not need to do anything and you will automatically be notified of your revised entitlement. If you do not receive any update by the end of March, you should contact your local council.
I don’t claim benefits; do I need to adjust my direct debit or will you do this automatically?
Your direct debit will be adjusted automatically by us – you don’t have to do anything.
If you pay by standing order, you will have to notify your bank to adjust your payments.
We will write to you in March to explain your new payment plan.
Where can I get debt and budgeting advice from?
We have a dedicated Money Matters team who can help you maximise your benefits and manage your finances. They are experienced in helping tenants and are there to support you in any way they can, including getting access to specialist debt advice and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Please find out more about our Money Matters service and other cost of living advice by visiting www.wrekin.com/advice
You can also get advice from:
Citizen Advice
StepChange