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A guide to new rent levels from April 2023

A guide to new rent levels from April 2023

We’ve written to tenants and other customers to explain in detail what you’ll pay from April for the type of home you have.

Read on for a general guide to this year’s changes to rents and service charges, and support available if you’d appreciate it.

This information is similar to information included with your letter from us. You may receive a more tailored version for your specific type of home.

 

 

Why are rents going up?

As a social housing provider we always try to keep our rents as affordable as possible, but we need to balance this with the rising costs we’re facing to run our services.

The cost of living pressures we’re all feeling are being driven by high inflation, which is currently at over 10%. Bolton at Home is also impacted by this inflation. For example, the price of materials used to repair our homes also rises significantly.

If we didn’t increase our rents to account for this inflation, it would put us under huge financial pressure and make it very difficult for us to keep running our services. It’s why we must make tough decisions while supporting everyone as much as we can.

 

How is the rent increase calculated and when will it come in?

Social housing providers follow government guidelines to set rent increases. They are set using a formula linked to a measure of inflation known as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). We usually calculate your rent increase by adding 1% to the CPI rate of inflation from the previous September.

As last September’s CPI rate was so high at 10.1%, the government agreed to cap the rent increase on most of our properties to a more affordable 7%.

If you live in sheltered or supported housing, the rents will rise by 11.1% to reflect the specific support services provided where you live.

 

What rent will I pay?

Exactly how much you’ll pay will depend on your current rent and what type of property you live in. Based on a 7% increase, a rent of £100 per week would increase to £107 per week. A rent of £80 per week would increase to £85.60.

 

If I receive benefits, will they increase too?

Yes, the government has confirmed that benefits will increase in line with inflation. If you use Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, or another form of benefits to pay your rent, you’ll see these payments rise from April onwards.

 

What if I’m in employment and my wages haven’t gone up with inflation?

If you’re worried about how the rent increase may impact your ability to pay your bills, please contact us at the earliest opportunity. We have a dedicated team to help you and more details are included in this guide.

 

Will service charges increase this year?

If you receive additional services and pay service charges, most of these are planned to increase by 7% though some will rise by more, notably communal heating and lighting charges where we have experienced big increases in our gas and electricity costs.

We calculate the charges you’ll pay based on what it costs us to provide these services. We won’t be making a profit.

Also, if you live in one of our sheltered housing, extra care or independent living schemes, the charges you’ll pay reflect the specific support services provided where you live. As you’ll know from previous consultation with you, we’ve been subsidising what you’ve paid since 2015 when the government stopped providing funding through the Supporting People grant. This subsidy is ending in 2023/24.

All service charges are regulated by law and housing organisations can’t charge more for a service than it costs.

 

What does my rent money get spent on?

Bolton at Home is run as a community benefit society. We don’t exist to make a profit. The money we receive from rents is always used to meet our running costs, invest in improving services, and deliver our social objectives. It helps us do things like:

  • Maintain and improve current homes
  • Run programmes to get help people get into work or training
  • Fund services that support health and wellbeing
  • Make neighbourhoods better and safer
  • Support our older and vulnerable tenants
  • Improve the energy efficiency of homes to meet climate change targets
  • Build new homes to help more people get an affordable place to live.

More information on what your rent pays for is included in our annual reports. You can view our annual report for 2021 to 2022 at www.boltonathome.org.uk/corporate-document-hub. Our next one will be available later this year.

 

Would scaling back on new-build homes not provide more money to help existing customers?

We understand why some people are concerned when they see news about us building new homes. However, last year we spent 1p in every pound we receive on building new homes and 48p in the pound on repairing, improving, and adapting existing homes.

Our new-build programme is also supported by government funding. If we didn’t build new homes, then over time we would end up with too few homes to help other people in need of an affordable place to live.

 

How do Bolton at Home rents compare with other housing providers?

Most social housing providers are increasing their rents for most properties in line with the government’s 7% cap. If they didn’t then, like us, they would struggle to meet the cost of providing essential services.

While it may be of small comfort right now, it’s worth noting that Bolton at Home tenants have historically paid lower rents compared to others across Greater Manchester. So, the cost to rent your home with us will continue to compare favourably with similar properties both locally and regionally.

 

Where can I get support if I’m worried about paying my bills?

We can help you if you’re worried about keeping up with rent payments and other bills.

Working without judgement, we can offer you advice on managing your rent payments and other bills, as well as checking you’re claiming any entitlements or allowances that you might be missing out on, and we provide other forms of support as needed.

Please don’t wait too long to get in touch. You can:

  • Visit www.boltonathome.org.uk/money-advice-team. This explains how our team of expert money advisors can help, offers advice and resources if you have money worries, and shares details of other services that can help if you prefer.
  • Also, and if you’re not already claiming, think about applying for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. If you aren’t sure if you’re eligible, phone us on 01204 328000 and we can do a calculation for you. Or you can contact the DWP or your local Housing Benefit office to make a claim directly.
  • Go to www.boltonathome.org.uk/cost-of-living. This outlines the main support services we and our partners provide to help with the rising cost of living including energy advice, food support, warm spaces, tips to lower bills, and assistance with employment or training needs.
  • Pop-in to one of our UCAN centres to speak with our friendly teams who provide a welcoming space for you to get advice for housing issues, help with money matters and more. Details of addresses and opening times are at www.boltonathome.org.uk/ucan, or phone 01204 328000 for further information.
  • You can also visit www.gov.uk/cost-of-living. This details the government support available for income and benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.