Did you know this year is a 53-week rent year?

What it means for rent payments

There are usually 52 Mondays in a rent year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March. Every few years, there are 53 Mondays between 1 April and 31 March - and you will be liable to make 53 weekly rent payments. 

This year which runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 is a 53-week rent year.

What you need to do

Calculating your rent

We send out rent letters during March to show your new weekly rent amount from 1 April onwards.

If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.

Weekly payers

If you pay your rent to us weekly, please pay the new weekly amount shown on your rent letter for each of the 53 weeks from 1 April 2024.

Monthly payers

To find your monthly payment amount, you need to multiply the new weekly rent by 53 and divide it by 12. For example:

• Weekly rent of £100 multiplied by 53 weeks equals £5300
• £5300 divided by 12 months equals £441.67 per calendar month

Please let your bank know the new amount to send us if you pay by standing order.

Payments are different if you receive universal credit. See more below.

Direct Debit payments

If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.

Universal credit recipients

If you claim universal credit, this will still be paid over the usual 52 weeks, and not 53. Therefore, there is a shortfall of one week.

Current legislation means universal credit is calculated by multiplying weekly rent payments by 52 weeks. This means that when a resident pays rent weekly, they will make either four or five payments in a month. However, every five or six years, there is a 53-week rent year, rather than a 52-week rent year. 

This means that residents will be underpaid by universal credit in the months they make five rental payments. In most years, the rent due and the universal credit payments will match, but every fifth or sixth year, residents will be left short. For many residents, this will mean they’re short on rent by around £100. 

The Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) won’t pay any extra universal credit to cover this. The only way to avoid falling behind is by paying a little extra each week to ensure your rent is covered.

• If you currently pay rent by Direct Debit and claim universal credit: The extra week's rent has been spread across your monthly payments, you don't need to do anything. If your universal credit changes during the year we will update your Direct Debit
• If you don't pay by Direct Debit and claim universal credit: You can pay a little extra each week or month, or by pay an extra full week's rent at the end of the year. For example:
  • Rent equals £100 a week
  • £100 divided by 12 months equals £8.33 per month extra to pay

We can help you budget for this, call us on 01455 238 141 or fill out our cost of living contact form. If your universal credit changes during the year, we can help you work out a new payment plan.

Why do I have to pay one week's rent myself?

Even though we charge your rent weekly, Universal Credit (GOV.UK), which is paid to you by the Department for Work and Pensions (GOV.UK), is paid monthly.

This calculation is set in legislation, and only allows for the weekly rent to be multiplied by a maximum of 52 (even if it is a 53-week year). Find out more in the universal credit regulations. 

Notifying the DWP about a change to your rent

If you claim universal credit, you must tell the DWP about your new rent charge. You can call them on 0800 328 9344 or, if you have an online Universal Credit account, (GOV.UK), you should report this change via your journal. If you need help with this please complete our tenancy management contact form or call us on 01455 238141.

If a change to your rent means that you are entitled to more universal credit, this may not be backdated if you don't report it straight away. If the change results in less universal credit entitlement and you report the change late, you will be asked to pay back any money you have been overpaid.

Housing benefit will cover the 53-week rent year.

Please make payments as shown on your annual rent letter - if your housing benefit changes during the year, we will let you know the new payments you need to make.

Help, support and advice

If you are struggling with your payments, or would like support or help budgeting, or working out how to pay the extra weeks rent, please get in touch with us by completing our tenancy management contact form or calling 01455 238 141. We have dedicated officers who can support you with navigating the rising cost of living, call and ask to speak to the welfare team on 01455 238 141 or fill out our cost of living form

Last updated: 10/04/2024 11:35