Look out for rent changes

All social housing rents and service charges are reviewed every year, with adjustments based on limits imposed by the Government. We increase the rent and service charge in line with inflation in order to make sure it will cover the cost of providing your housing service for the next financial year.

You will receive a letter outlining what this means for your household and what your weekly rent or service charges will be from 7 April 2025. The rent letter will include clear details of how this relates to your benefit payments.

After you receive your letter, it is essential that you update your Universal Credit (UC) account to ensure you continue to receive your correct benefit entitlement going forward.

If you receive UC and Housing Benefit payments, your increased rent will be covered, but you must let UC know the new amount by selecting ‘report a change’ on your online UC account. You can only do this after 7 April 2025. If you fail to do so, your benefit payments will be affected.

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling to pay your rent or other council bills, please contact the Debt Management Centre today for free advice and support on:

• Email: dmc.general@southampton.gov.uk 
• Telephone: 023 8083 3388

If you don’t currently receive any financial help, it’s worth checking "entitledto" or contacting our Welfare Rights and Money Advice team to make sure you are receiving all the benefits you’re entitledto.