Every year, we review rent and service charges to make sure they are fair and affordable for everyone. We use our social rent setting policy, and we listen to what our customers and communities have told us matters most to them.
Every year, we ask customers to give us feedback about the affordability of their rent, and service charges. We also ask how they feel about the other costs of living such as energy bills, and food shops. This year we had 1,126 responses, with important views from people in all five local authority areas, as well as our customer panel ‘Buzz’.
Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that housing shouldn’t cost more than one third of your household income – to be reasonable and affordable.
So, we use data from the Office for National Statistics each year to understand what the average lower incomes are in each of our communities.
And we set our rents at 28% of this average lower income and adjust them depending on the size and type of home.
For example, most one‑bedroom homes have one person living in them, so the rent is based on a single income. Larger homes usually house families, so the rent reflects the fact that household income and living costs tend to increase with family size.
In January, we send everyone notice of their rent and charges for the following year, with the new charge starting from 1 April.
Please tell us if you’re worried about paying the new charges. Whatever your circumstances are, we are here to help. It’s always better to talk to us than to worry alone.
How we spend your rent
We’re a not-for-profit organisation. The money we collect from rent goes back into investing in what’s important to you.
Last year, we carried out 60,931 repairs and upgraded kitchens and bathrooms in 688 homes.
Your rent goes towards improving your homes and estates and providing more support and opportunities for everyone.
We also tackled 516 cases of antisocial behaviour and referred 690 residents to specialist support services.
We shape our services based on what residents tell us in surveys, special feedback groups and through our customer panels.
If you have feedback about your rent or service charges, or ideas to improve our services, please get in touch.
Together, we’re building connected communities where everyone can live well.