Customers who pay rent only letter

Rent increase letter 2025 for customers who only pay rent

Information about your rent charges for 2025/26

Dear Customer

Information about your rent charges for 2025/26

I'm writing to let you know that we've taken the decision to increase rents by 2.7% from 1 April 2025.

We understand that any rent increase can be difficult. However, the costs of providing our services have risen over the past year, and we need to adjust rents to continue covering these expenses.

Your rent is increasing from Tuesday 1 April 2025 £xx.xx
Tenancy reference number  
Property reference number  

How we set our rents

Every year, we review our rents and calculate your new rent based on:

  • The details in your tenancy agreement
  • The government’s rent increase formula, which is last September’s inflation rate (CPI) plus an extra 1%

As CPI in September 2024 was 1.7%, your rent will go up by 2.7%.

Ways to pay your rent

As a not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest every bit of rent we receive. Your rent pays for more than just your home – it funds essential services like repairs, maintenance, and safety checks, as well as long-term investments in homes, neighbourhoods, people, and communities.

Here are some of the ways we invested rental income last year and our plans for future spending.

In the last financial year (April 2023-2024) here's what we did:

  • £2.1m spent on upgrading kitchen and bathrooms
  • £40.1m spent on major repairs and general repairs
  • 1,612 customers supported through the Thrive Fund
  • 4,882 tenancy experience visits carried out
  • 34 Neighbourhood clean-ups held in your areas

We're planning to do - we'll be investing in: 

  • £97m in repairs and maintenance to your homes and communal areas over the next three years
  • £4.7m into our Healthy Homes programme to address any issues of damp, mould and condensation in your homes. 

Payment-free weeks (non-charge weeks)

As per your tenancy agreement, some customers have two payment-free weeks (non-charge weeks). This is because your rents are calculated for 52 weeks but charged over 50 weeks. For 2025/26, the payment-free weeks are the weeks starting 1 April 2025, and 22 December 2025. If your account is in arrears, you’ll still need to pay rent during these weeks.

Worried about paying your rent? We're here to help?

We know it’s been another tough year for many people, and we want to remind you that we’re here to support you. 

Support from the Financial Inclusion team

If you’re struggling, please reach out to our Financial Inclusion team at financialinclusion@onemanchester.co.uk, call us on 0330 355 1000 (option 2), or fill out our contact form

Our team can help you manage your money, budget, and claim extra money and benefits you’re entitled to. Last year, we helped customers claim £2.1 million in extra income. You can also find useful information on the help with money page on our website.

Other support

  • Our Thrive Fund helps with essential items like furniture, kitchen appliances, and school uniforms. More information is on our Thrive Fund page.
  • Our Employment and Skills team can help you find job opportunities, and help with things like CV writing and interview prep. Check out our Employment and Skills page for more details.
  • You can always talk to your Neighbourhood Officer and meet them at your local Neighbourhood Hub. They can answer most questions or direct you to the right support. Our hubs have drop-in sessions that you can just turn up to, or you can make an appointment at a convenient time. Find their details and your nearest hub on our website and customer portal – start from the Neighbourhood services page.

Important: what do I need to do now?

You’ll need to pay the new amount set out in the rent statement included with this letter from Tuesday 1 April 2025.

Here’s how to make the change based on how you pay:

Online

To view your rent account balance and make payments, log in to your account on our Customer Portal. If you don't have an account yet, select 'Create an account'. It's easy to set up with your tenancy reference number, National Insurance number, and email address. Get in touch with us if you need any help.

Universal Credit

If you receive the housing element of Universal Credit, let the Department of Works and Pension (DWP) know by updating your Online Journal on April 1 2025 with your new rent amount. Don't update it before this date, as the DWP won't recalculate your entitlement with the new rent amount, which can cause delays to rent payments.

Standing Order or Online Banking

If you pay your rent by standing order or online banking, please change the amount to the new rent amount stated in this letter.

Direct Debit

If you pay by Direct Debit, we'll handle the changes for you between February and March 2025, ready for the increase. You'll receive a letter from Allpay before April 1 confirming the update. Please check this letter to make sure everything is correct. If you don't receive a letter or want us to double-check, we’re happy to help. Just email us at incometeam@onemanchester.co.uk or call 0330 355 1000.

Housing Benefit

If you receive Housing Benefit directly into your rent account, the total weekly charge will be updated automatically. We'll let your local authority benefits department know of the change, and they'll update your Housing Benefit entitlement. 

Other payment methods (e.g. PayPoint, over the phone)

Start paying the new rent amount from April 1 2025.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to support you and ensure you continue to enjoy living in your home.

Many thanks,

Nicole Kershaw
Chief Executive

This letter and the additional documents are sent to you by One Manchester Limited of Lovell House, 6 Archway, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RN. 

Additional information