Housing Rent Charges

Changes to your rent charges from 7 April 2025

For 2025/26, the government has capped rent increases at CPI + 1%, based on the CPI figure from September 2024. This decision continues the previous government's rent policy for another year. As a result, rents will rise by up to 2.7% from 7 April 2025, following a 1.7% CPI increase.

We understand that any rent increase, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills, is not welcome news.

The planned 2.7% increase in rent from 7 April 2025 would mean an average increase to:

• £122.27 per week for social rents
• £190.80 per week for affordable rents
• £150.04 per week for Low Start Shared Ownership homes (these amounts are based on a 52-week year).

We have carefully reviewed this rent increase. To continue fulfilling our commitments outlined in the Corporate Plan and sustain the quality of services and homes we provide; it is necessary to adjust rents by CPI + 1%. Without this increase, we would face difficult decisions, such as reducing the number of new homes we build or cutting back on essential investments in your neighbourhoods. Our goal is to protect and improve our homes and neighbourhoods, ensuring a positive future for families who choose to live in Stevenage.

Possible increase to service and water charges

In addition to your rent, there may also be an increase to your service charges and water charges, unless you have a water meter. The water charge increase is determined by the water company (Affinity Water), and we receive the updated rates from them each year in January/February. The council collects these water charges on behalf of Affinity Water as their agent.

Service charges may also increase, but the formula of CPI + 1% will not apply. Instead, we set service charges in accordance with our Rent and Service Charge Setting Policy. This policy ensures that charges are set fairly and cover the actual cost of providing the service to you.

Due to rising energy costs, energy charges may be increased accordingly. We understand that this is a challenging time, and if you are concerned about paying your rent or service charges, please do not hesitate to contact us at 01438 242666 for support.

You will receive a letter from the council notifying you of any changes to your rent, along with a detailed breakdown of any changes to your service or water charges. This letter will also show you the total amount due for your home.

Your total rent payments

The total amount you need to pay each week is calculated by adding together your basic rent, water charges, and any applicable service charges for the entire year. This total is then divided into 50 equal payments, which makes up your weekly rent.

Your rent is payable weekly, in advance, each Monday. There are two catch-up weeksThis system allows for two rent catch-up weeks each year.

The rent catch-up weeks give you the chance to catch up on any outstanding rent payments. These catch-up weeks will be:

• December 2025 (starting 22 December 2025)
• Last week of March 2026 (starting 30 March 2026)

If you pay your rent by direct debit, your payments will be calculated on a monthly basis. During the catch-up weeks in December 2025 and March 2026, we will continue to collect your monthly payment as usual, so you don't need to do anything.

Basic rent

This is the weekly amount you pay for landlord services, including basic repairs and improvements to your home. This varies from property to property and the set weekly amount is in your Formal Notice of Rent Changes letter.

Management fee

A few of our properties are charged a management fee. The management fee (where applicable) is calculated using the actual costs of providing and delivering essential and obligatory services in flat blocks by an appointed management agent.

Estate Service Charge

This charge applies to properties in some of our recent developments and covers the costs of repairs, electricity, ground maintenance and cleansing of the areas and roads around your home.

Changes to service and other charges from 7 April 2025

If you live in a flat block, or your home is attached to an independent or Flexicare housing scheme, your charges include a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas of that building. These charges apply whether you use the communal areas or not.

These charges will be shown separately on the rent notice. The charges will reflect the actual cost of providing the service.

The charge	What it covers
Caretaking & cleaning service charge	Cleaning of communal areas, removal of fly tipping, etc.
Communal block repairs	This charge covers repairs to communal areas in flat blocks. This includes items such as communal glazing or repairs to handrails.
Communal block electrics	The cost of the electrical supply for communal lighting.
Water charges	Included in your rent notification letter.
Grounds maintenance	Grass cutting, weeding shrub beds and clearing litter in landscaped and communal areas around blocks of flats and independent/Flexicare schemes.
Window cleaning service charge	Covers the cost of providing communal window cleaning.
Estate Service Charge	This charge covers the costs of repairs, estate lighting ground maintenance and cleansing of the areas and roads around your flat block.
Heating charge	Communal heating fuel supply costs (often in sheltered schemes/tower blocks).
Equipment Usage charge	An amount collected for use when equipment such as door entry system is in need of repairs or replacement.
Support charge (optional)	To provide a Specialist Housing Officer to offer help, support and advice alongside emergency assistance as and when required.
Careline charge (optional)	Covers the cost of the Careline alarm service.
Community Support Charge (optional)	Covers the cost of the visiting and support service provided by supported housing officers
Pest control	Covers the costs of dealing with pest infestation in communal areas
Management fee	Covers the inclusive costs of providing and delivering essential and obligatory services in flat blocks by an appointed management agent.

Special Purpose Equipment (SPE) Service Charge

The SPE service charge applies to equipment that has been specifically requested and installed for the tenant, their family, or a registered occupant of the property. This includes items such as stair lifts, hoists, platform lifts, rise-and-fall sink units, scooter stores, shower toilets, automated entry systems, and more.

This charge covers the ongoing service, maintenance, and repairs of the equipment. Tenants will not be charged for the equipment itself or its installation costs.

Please note, the SPE service charge does not apply to equipment installed for children (under 16) or certain young people (aged 16-20). Where the charge does apply, it will be limited to a maximum of two items per property.

If this charge applies to you, you may be eligible for additional Housing Benefit to cover part or all of the charge. You may already receive benefits like Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Attendance Allowance, or DLA that could help with this cost. If not, the council may be able to assist with advice or help you apply for these benefits.

If the SPE service charge affects you, Stevenage Borough Council will contact you shortly.

How do these changes affect my housing benefit and Universal Credit Housing cost claim?

If you claim benefit, the heating charge and water charge are not covered by Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing cost. You are required to make these payments yourself.

I claim Universal Credit: will I have to re-apply and will this result in weeks of delays in my rent being paid and accumulating rent arrears?

We appreciate that completing a Universal Credit claim can be very stressful and facing weeks of delays for any benefit payment is something we want to avoid. Please be assured you will not have to complete a new claim with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Once we write to inform you of the new rent you will simply need to inform them of this via the DWP portal after the rent increase has been applied.

What if Universal Credit doesn’t cover the rent increase?

If your Universal Credit allowance isn’t increased to cover the additional rent increase, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see one of our specialist Welfare Benefits and Debt Advisors who can help you budget for the increase.

Where can I get some debt and budgeting advice from?

We have a dedicated specialist money and debt advice team working alongside the rent/income team who are trained to ensure you have maximised your benefits, help you manage your finances and support you through changes in circumstances. We encourage you to take advantage of this service. Please contact our Welfare Benefit and Debt Advisor team at welfare.benefit@stevenage.gov.uk.

Garage rents

If you rent a garage, you will be notified separately about any change in the standard garage rent charge. For more information about garages please visit our Garages web pages.

Council Tax

Your council tax is paid separately to your rent. Any changes to your council tax will be sent to you separately. You will receive this during March 2025. If you are in receipt of UC Housing Costs and Housing Benefit, you may be eligible for Council Tax Support, please contact the Benefit Services on 01438 242875 or email: revenues@hertspartnership-ala.gov.uk.