Rent Changes

Guidance on your rent from April 2025

 This includes information about:

·         Changes to your rent and why this is happening

·         How we use your rent

·         What support is available if you’re struggling to pay your rent.

Changes to your rent

Rent and Service Charge Increase 2025-26

Your rent is increasing from 7th April 2025. As a social housing Landlord, we follow rules set by the government when we calculate any changes to your rent each year.

The government usually sets the maximum we can increase your rent by based on inflation and uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, plus 1%.

The CPI is a commonly used measure of inflation, which measures changes in the prices of goods and services.

In September, the CPI was 1.7%. This means we’ll be increasing your rent by 2.7% from April 2025.

The government has confirmed that benefits will increase in line with inflation. If you use Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or another form of benefits to pay your rent, you will see these payments rise from April onwards.

For most residents who are claiming full or partial benefit, the rent increase will, to a large extent, be met by increases in Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

If you pay a service charge as part of your weekly payment to us, then you may also see that this charge has increased to ensure we fully recover the costs of services being provided to your block or estate.

When is my rent increasing?

We conduct our rent reviews each year to take effect from the first Monday in April. This year, the new charges apply from Monday 7th April 2025.

How much will my rent increase by and how have you calculated this?

The rent increase from April 2025 will be 2.7%. Our rents are reviewed every year in line with the Government’s rent setting guidance, using an agreed formula, which is the same for all housing associations across England. The guidance that rents can be increased by a measure of inflation called the Consumer Price Index (CPI), taken from the previous September, plus 1%. In September 2024 CPI was 1.7%, therefore the rent increase will be 2.7%.

Why are you increasing my rent?

Like all other landlords the cost to run services, repair and improve homes has increased due to increased inflation. This rent increase allows us to maintain our investment in our homes. 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.

When will my rent increase?

The increase will start from 7 April 2025.

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 2025/26 we will continue to spend millions on the repairs and maintenance of our existing homes. We’ll spend £4 million on investment works including:

✅ Modern, Comfortable Living works – roof renewal works in Lambeth and Lift renewal programme for the tower blocks in Walsall

✅Warmer, More Efficient Homes –  boiler replacements and electrical rewires to help  efficiency improvements to boost energy efficiency.

✅ Stronger Security & Safety – door renewals and continued investment in building safety measures.

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 Income Officer who will have a range of options available to them including a referral to money advice services. We can help you with referrals for  budgeting advice and offer support to help meet rising utility costs.

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.

To make a complaint please email General enquiries email: info@watmos.org.uk

or visit Enquiry Form | Watmos 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 need to let the DWP know that your rent has increased, if you don’t let them know they will continue paying last year’s rent amount.

  • You can log into your UC account as normal via the UC website: https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit
  • Click on the ‘ To-do list’ tab .
  • Click on ‘ Report any changes to your housing costs’  and provide the new charges for your property. You will have received a letter from us informing you of your new charges. If you are unsure, please contact your Housing Officer who will be able to confirm the charges.
  • When you have completed the ‘to-do’ there should be an entry in your journal confirming this. Please complete your rental increase via the to-do list and not from the ‘report a change’ tab

Please only update your journal AFTER the date of the rent increase.

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

Please get in touch with your Income Officer. They will be able to help you budget for the increase, or in some cases you may be eligible for other financial assistance.

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.

Where can I get debt and budgeting advice from?

We have partnerships with local money advice providers, we can refer you to them for specialist advice and help for you  to maximise your benefits and manage your finances.

Organisations that can help you with debt and money advice:

Walsall

London

National organisations