Rent and service charges explained

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Rent increase 2022/2023

Our rents are changing from April 2023.

Have a look at the guide below to see what this means for you. 

This year our standard rental charge has increased by 10.6%. However, as part of our efforts to reduce the impact of rising costs, we have deferred 1.6% of the rent increase.  We will recoup this over the next three years when inflation is expected to have eased. So, customers will pay a 9% increase from 3 April 2023.   

If you pay service charges, these will also change to reflect any increase or decrease in the cost of providing services to you. 

Your new rent, service charge and rates payments are detailed in the letter we sent to you in March. 

In determining the level of increase, we have had to take into account rising energy, labour and material costs as well as welfare benefit changes.   The increase is essential to make sure we can continue to maintain and improve your homes and neighbourhoods, provide quality services to you, and build new affordable homes for the growing number of people who need them.  We have tried to keep the increase as low as possible.  

If your home has a shared entrance hall, grounds or other communal areas, then we look after the servicing of these and you have to pay a service charge to cover the cost of this.  At some schemes, the service charge also includes the maintenance and upkeep of facilities such as lifts, door entry systems and emergency call systems as well as the cost of customer support services. 

We have sent you a breakdown of the service charges for your home for 2023/24. 

If you live in an Independent Living scheme, your Neighbourhood Services Officer will visit your scheme in April or May to explain your service charges and talk about rent changes and how we calculate these. 

We are required to collect the rates due on your home on behalf of Land and Property Services. The amount we are required to collect is set by your local Council and the Department of Infrastructure. 

If you are on Universal Credit, you will need to update your online journal with the new amounts. You do not need to do this until 3 April 2023. 

If you receive full Housing Benefit paid directly to us, we will inform the Housing Executive of the new charges on your behalf. 

If you pay by Direct Debit or similar arrangement, you don’t need to change anything.  We will amend the amount we collect from 3 April 2023. 

If you pay by Standing Order, you should arrange now to change any payments that you need to authorise. 

You will need to start paying your new rent and service charge from 3 April 2023. 

We know that many people are being impacted by the rising cost of living and we want to support our customers where we can. If you’re having difficulty paying your rent or are worried about money problems, please contact us as soon as possible. 

Our Money Advice Team provide a free and confidential service to help you manage your finances and deal with debt. They can also help with claiming benefits.  

To contact our Money Advisers: 

Call 028 90 877 047 

Email moneyadvice@clanmil.org.uk 

More on our Money Advice Service  

We can also support you with: 

Paying Rent 

If you have concerns about paying your rent, we can offer rent payment plans based on your individual circumstances.  Contact our Income Recovery Team for more information: 

Call 028 908 77034 

Email incomerecovery@clanmil.org.uk 

Housing 

Our Housing team can offer you advice on your housing situation and answer any questions about your tenancy. Our team will be visiting your scheme in April or May to explain the rent increase and changes to your service charge. You will be able to speak to them then about any specific issues you may have, or you can arrange to speak to your Neighbourhood Services Officer at any time.  

As a not-for-profit business, rent is reinvested into maintaining and improving our customers’ homes and services as well as helping to support the development of new affordable homes for the growing number of people who need them.  

If you have any questions about your new rent or service charge or what you should pay, please contact your Neighbourhood Services Officer on 028 9087 6000. 

Find your Neighbourhood Services Officer