Your rent is changing
From 4 April, your rent and service charges will increase. In the next few weeks, you’ll receive a letter letting you know exactly what your new charge will be, along with a set of FAQs to fully explain the changes and answer any questions you may have.
Like many other housing associations across the country, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase our rents. RHP is currently facing substantial pressures on our cost base. This is due to inflation, carrying out important fire safety work, rising energy costs, and also the work on our homes to support the journey to net-zero. We’re committed to maintaining rents at an affordable level whilst still complying with the government’s rent increase and will continue to work hard so you get the best possible value from your rent.
If you’re a tenant
- Your rent will increase by a maximum of CPI (the Consumer Price Index) plus 1%. September’s inflation rate of 3.1% will be used, so the rent increase will be no greater than 4.1%.
- You may also have to pay a service charge, which is used to cover any costs for communal areas, such as Grounds Maintenance and Cleaning.
- As some costs are expected to rise more than inflation, RHP has ensured that all service charge increases are also capped to a maximum of CPI (the Consumer Price Index) plus 1% for tenants, which is 4.1%. This means RHP is absorbing any costs that are expected to be greater than 4.1%.
If you’re a Shared Owner
- Your rent will increase by a maximum of RPI (the Retail Price Index) plus 0.5%. September’s inflation rate of 4.9% will be used, so the rent increase will be no greater than 5.4% as per the terms stipulated in your lease.
- Your service charge is variable, based on expected costs for the year. This means if RHP under or overcharges you, the difference can be collected 18 months later (30 September 2023).
If you’re a Leaseholder
Your service charge is variable, based on expected costs for the year. This means if RHP under or overcharges you, the difference can be collected 18 months later (30 September 2023).
If you're having problems paying your rent
To find out if you’re entitled to help with paying your rent, you can:
- use the government's online benefits calculator at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
- contact your local authority Housing Benefit Team.
- get free, independent, and confidential advice from Citizens Advice by calling 0800 144 8848 or visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
If you’re worried about paying your increased rent, visit www.rhp.org.uk/news/news/financial-support-directory for information on local financial support and links to benefit & budgeting calculators. You can also contact your rent advisor for advice on ways to increase your household income. If you have any queries, please live chat with us in real-time at www.rhp.org.uk or call 0800 0322 433.