we’re committed to providing quality, affordable housing. As part of our annual review, in line with government rent standards, your rent and service charges will be changing in April 2025. This post outlines the key information you need to know about these changes, how they may affect you, and the support available if you’re experiencing financial difficulties.
Key dates for rent and service charge changes
- Monthly charges: Effective from 1 April 2025
- Weekly charges: Effective from 7 April 2025
Understanding your rent and service charge changes
Your rent is reviewed annually to ensure it aligns with government rent standards, which ensures fairness and consistency across housing associations. We strive to balance affordability with the need to maintain and improve our services. You will receive a personalised letter detailing your specific rent and service charge adjustments. Please keep this letter safe, as you will need the new figures for updating your benefit information.
Action required: updating your benefit information
It’s crucial that you update your benefit information with your new rent and service charge amounts to ensure you receive the correct payments. Here’s what you need to do, depending on your situation:
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- You must update your Universal Credit journal with your new rent and service charge amounts after the effective date in April 2025. Pine Court cannot do this for you.
- Use the information provided in your letter to report the changes via your Universal Credit online account.
- Please update your journal promptly, as Universal Credit typically only backdates changes for one month. Failure to update in time may result in a shortfall and rent arrears.
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- If you are currently receiving Housing Benefit, in most cases the local authority will be informed of the change automatically.
- However, if your tenancy began on or after 1 December 2024, you must contact your local authority directly to inform them of your new rent from April 2025.
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- You don’t need to do anything. We will amend the Direct Debit for you and you will receive a notification of this.
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- We are migrating all Standing Order to Direct Debit. We will be in touch with you to arrange this.
Support and assistance
If you would like any assistance relating to your benefits or your entitlement, we can help you. Please visit our cost-of-living guide to access support.
We understand that this might be a bit confusing but we’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.