Following the recent rent review, which you will have received a letter about in the post, it’s important to update your housing costs and adjust your payments in line with your new rent and service charges. Read our step-by-step guide to see what you need to do in your situation.

Housing Benefit

If you claim Housing Benefit and we receive the payments directly, we'll automatically notify the local authority of the increase in your rent and service charges. Your entitlement will be automatically adjusted ready for the next payment. Once we receive the adjusted payment, we'll adjust your direct debit accordingly.

If you don’t pay via direct debit, it’s important to check your new entitlement and adjust your payments accordingly. If you need help to calculate this amount, please call the income team who will be happy to help you.

If you receive Housing Benefit directly to you, you will need to contact your Local Authority and notify them of the recent change.

Universal Credit

If you claim Universal Credit, it’s important you update your housing costs in line with your new rent and service charges.

You'll receive a ‘to do’ on your online account which will ask you to update your housing costs. It’s important to complete this request on the day your rent changes, which is stated in your recent rent review letter, or before the end of your monthly assessment period.

Once you’ve successfully completed your updated housing costs, your journal will update to reflect that you've updated ‘where you live and what it costs’. 

If you don’t have an online account, you can call the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644.

It’s your responsibility to update your Universal Credit claim to ensure you don’t fall into arrears, even if we receive the payment directly.

If you’re worried about paying your rent or struggling with the cost of living, please call us on 0800 652 0898 and ask to speak to one of our income team.