Information about your rent and service charge increases for 2025/26

We understand that any increase in your outgoings can be difficult. However, the costs of providing our services have risen again over the past year. As a not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest every bit of rent we receive. Over the last financial year 2023/24, we’ve spent:  

• £2.1m on upgrading kitchens and bathrooms
• £40.1m on general and major repairs

Your rent pays for more than just your home – it goes towards essential services like repairs, maintenance, and safety checks, as well as long-term investment in your homes, neighbourhoods, people and communities. We’re continuing to invest in making your homes even better places to live, and:

• We’re planning to spend £97m on repairs and maintenance over the next three years
• We’ll be investing £4.7m into our Healthy Homes programme to help address any issues of damp, mould and condensation

Does this increase apply to me?

• Social rent: Yes, if you’re one of our social customers this increase applies to you, and you’ll soon receive a letter explaining the changes.
• Market rent: No, if you’re one of our market rent customers your rent is set at market value so this increase doesn’t apply to you.
• Rent to buy: No, if you’re one of our rent to buy customers this increase doesn’t apply to you because you signed up to pay a fixed monthly rate when you started your lease.
• Shared Ownership: Yes, if you’re one of our Shared Ownership customers this increase applies to you and you’ll soon receive a letter explaining the changes.
• Leaseholder: Yes, if you’re a Leaseholder with us the increase in service charges applies to you and you’ll soon receive a letter explaining the increase.
• Garage rent: Yes, if you’re renting a garage from us this increase applies to you and you’ll soon receive a letter explaining the changes.

We’ve put together some FAQs to help explain why the increase is happening, how it will affect you, what action you need to take and what help is available if you need it.

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.  

Our Financial Inclusion team are on hand to give you support or advice.

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

Our team can give you advice and tips on managing your money, budget, and help you claim extra money and benefits you could be entitled to. Last year, we helped customers claim £2.1 million in extra income. You can also find useful information about this on our help with money page.  

Other support

• Our Thrive Fund can help you with the cost of essential items like furniture, kitchen appliances, and school uniforms. Read more about our Thrive Fund and how you can apply.  
• Our Employment and Skills team can help you find job opportunities and give you tips on 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 from the Neighbourhood services page.

Not sure about something, or want to speak to someone?  

If there is anything you don’t understand or you’re not sure about once you have read our FAQs, then please give us a call or complete our contact us form.