Rent charges FAQs for 2026 – social housing
View Social housing customers
The annual change to rent charges for social housing customers will be an increase of 4.8% from April 2026.
This excludes service charges, if applicable, where any changes reflect actual costs incurred.
We will be writing to all social housing customers in February with a full breakdown of individual rent charges from April as well as any changes to service charges.
Like all housing associations in England, we calculate the annual rent change using a specific, government-set formula. This takes the consumer price index (CPI) from the previous September and adds 1%. The CPI measures how the price of goods and services are changing over time.
In September 2025, the CPI was 3.8%. In April 2026, rents will therefore increase by 4.8% (= 3.8% + 1%) for our social housing customers.
While all rents are different, the average increase per household will be around £6.32 a week.
If all of your rent charge is currently paid by housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, and your circumstances don’t change, this increase will be covered by your benefits.
You can find out more about this year’s rent change in this FAQs document:
What do I need to do if I receive Universal Credit?
If you claim the housing element of Universal Credit, you will receive a ‘Confirm your housing costs’ to-do item in your online journal at the beginning of April. You will not need to notify Universal Credit before the to-do item has appeared.
Please keep hold of your letter outlining your new rent charge so you can complete the to-do item, once it has appeared.
Help and support
If you’re concerned about this increase, there is support available:
- Check that you’re receiving all available financial help using an online benefits calculator. We recommend Turn2Us and entitled to.
- Visit our help paying your bills page which has links to a range of local and national support services.
- If you still have concerns talk to us. You’ll find contact details below.
Shared ownership customers
The annual rent change for shared ownership customers will depend on the terms of your lease. If it is linked to the previous year’s CPI (consumer price index) the increase will be 4.8%. If it is linked to the RPI (retail price index) the increase will be 5%.
We will be writing to all shared ownership customers in February with a full breakdown of individual rent charges from April as well as any changes to service charges.
Rent charges FAQs for 2026 – shared ownership CPI
View Rent charges FAQs for 2026 – shared ownership RPI
View
Contact details and further resources
Who is my account manager?
For questions about rent charges, contact your account manager. Find yours on our account managers page.
Who is my neighbourhood manager?
For questions about service charges, find yours on our neighbourhood managers page.
‘How to manage your money’ guide
Download our manage your money guide.
Citizens Advice
Get impartial advice on the Citizens Advice website.
Universal Credit
Sign in to your account on the Universal Credit website.
How we spend customers’ rent
Read our corporate plan and annual report on our how we’re doing page.
