Rent increase 2024/25

Each year, we review our rents and carefully consider any changes. Following our recent rent review, we wanted to let you know that in April 2024 your rent will be changing.

The increase will enable us to continue to deliver quality homes, improve our services, maintain your home, and ensure your home is safe.

Depending on your tenancy type, this increase will be inclusive or exclusive of service charges. We have more information about changes to service charges here.

If you’re an Alliance Homes customer and are struggling to pay your rent or have other money worries, please get in touch. We have a range of support services available. The sooner we know, the quicker we can help.

• How much is the rent increase?

  Rent will increase by 7.7% from April 2024 for tenants.

  Shared Ownership rent will increase in line with the terms of the lease agreement.

  If you pay service charges, these will also change to reflect any changes in the cost of providing the service to you.

  Your new rent and service charge payments will be detailed in the letter sent to you in February.

• Why is there a rent increase?

  The rent increase allows us to continue to deliver and improve our services, build more affordable homes, maintain our homes, and ensure that your home is safe.  

  The Government regulates the setting of rent through the Rent Standard which determines how much rent can be increased by.

  In September 2023, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 6.7%, this means that your rent will increase by 7.7% from April 2024 in line with the Rent Standard

  Shared Ownership rent increases are determined by your lease. if you are not sure what your lease says please contact our Leasehold Team.

• What happens if I claim Universal Credit?

  If you claim Universal Credit, it is your responsibility to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of any changes to your rent and service charges.

  It’s important that you don’t update your rent and service charges until 1 April 2024 or after. You should receive a ‘Confirm your housing costs’ to-do message from DWP in your journal.

  If you submit your new charges before 1 April 2024, the change will be rejected, and you won’t get an increase in your housing costs award.

  If you don't submit the new rent and service charge before the end of your first assessment period, you will only be assessed on the old charges which will result in you being in rent debt.

  Important notice:

  The rent year starts on 1 April 2024 and ends 06 April 2025 – this is 53 weeks. The DWP calculate housing costs on a 52-week year, which means that in 2024-2025 your Universal Credit award will be one week short. It’s your responsibility to cover this week.

  We understand that this might be worrying for some. If you’re concerned, please speak to our Income team. They can put together a payment plan to make sure you don’t fall behind in your payments.

  For a full explanation of this please speak to your DWP Job Coach.

• What happens if I claim Housing Benefit?

  If you’re in receipt of housing benefit, we will inform the relevant Local Authority of any change in your rent so your benefits will be adjusted automatically.

  However, it is your responsibility to ensure your Housing Benefit claim is paying the correct amount so please check any letters they send you and makes sure the amounts match your new rent.

• I pay by Direct Debit, do i need to do anything?

  If you pay us by Direct Debit, you don’t need to do anything. We will send you confirmation of your new payment schedule in March.

  If you don’t currently pay by Direct Debit but would like to, we can get this set up for you, just get in touch.

• I pay by phone, at a pay point, or with Connect, do I need to do anything?

  You will need to start paying your new rent amount from April 2024.

• What if I have difficulty in paying my rent?

  If you’re having difficulty paying your rent or have money worries, please contact us as soon as possible or visit our Support with your finances page – we’re here to help.

  There are several ways we can provide support:

  Housing:

  We offer advice on your housing situation and can answer any questions about your tenancy.

  Paying rent:

  If you’re having concerns about paying your rent, we can offer rent payment plans based on your individual circumstances.

  Money advice

  Our money advisors can help you to manage your finances.

  Universal Credit

  Our support services can help you make a Universal Credit claim.

  Claiming benefits

  We can help you claim other benefits e.g., carers support allowances, statutory sick pay, personal independence payments and Test & Trace support payments.

  Financial support

  We can put you in touch with West Country Saving and Loans who can provide advice on how to save or discuss an affordable short-term loan.

  Springboard Fund

  We have access to a fund which provides immediate financial support for those with financial difficulties, struggling to sustain their tenancy and cover the cost of practical items like energy and white goods.

  General support

  We can support you to live independently with home adaptation, helping you home from hospital or helping you to find training and employment.

  Support for unpaid carers

  Our Carers Services can offer advice and support for unpaid adult and young carers.

  Tenant Support and Wellbeing Service

  This is free-to-access, anonymous and impartial tenant support for when money worries and everyday concerns get too much.

• How does Alliance Homes spend rental income?

  As a not-for-profit organisation, rent income is reinvested into maintaining and improving our existing homes as well as helping to support the development of new  housing.

  You can find out how we spend our income by looking at our most recent Customer Annual Review.

• What if I still have questions about my Rent?

  If you have any questions about your new rent or service charges or what you should pay, contact us and we will be able to answer any questions.