2024-25 Annual Rent Increase

As you may now know, from 1st April, the amount of rent you pay as a Milton Keynes City Council customer will increase. 

The increase figure has been reached in accordance with the Regulator of Social Housing and detailed in the Rent Standard using the formula of Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus one percent. The CPI rate measures changes in the prices of goods and services  that households consume and is used to help calculate social rent rates.

At September 2023, the CPI rate was 6.7%, so the new charge has been calculated as 6.7% + 1% = 7.7%.

This year is what’s known as a 53-Monday or 53-week year. Due to the way the calendar falls, your rent will be charged 53 times instead of the usual 52. This occurrence happens every six or seven years. This will have no effect on customers who pay their rent weekly as we charge rent every Monday, so this doesn’t change. However, if you pay by monthly Direct Debit, the amount you pay may be slightly higher to account for this.

Service charges may increase following the Rent and Service charge consultation that has been undertaken this year. Please be assured that we’ll only set service charges in line with our service charge policy. If applicable, your new charges for 2024/25 are explained in the personalised letter accompanying the annual rent increase letter. 

It’s crucial that you don’t update your Universal Credit journal until Monday, 1 April or soon after. It’s important to report the change as soon as possible after it’s taken effect, otherwise, you might miss out on payments. 

If you receive the Housing Element of Universal Credit you must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as possible after these changes have taken effect on 1st April. You can do this by reporting a change of circumstances in your Universal Credit journal account.

If you receive Housing Benefit, you do not need to take any action, we will inform the Benefits department on your behalf.

If you pay by Direct Debit don’t worry, your Direct Debit will be adjusted automatically. Please check your Direct Debit has been adjusted as you’d expect, and contact us if you wish to query the calculation.

Universal Credit managed migration

The Government is writing to some people inviting them to claim Universal Credit. These 'migration notices' are part of a process known as managed migration.

If you claim Tax Credits and live in Milton Keynes

From December 2023, you will receive this government letter if you:

• receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit 
• are of working age (including couples with one person of pension age)
• do not receive Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income based Jobseekers Allowance and Income related Employment and Support Allowance

If you receive a 'migration notice' do not ignore it. Your Tax Credits will stop after 3 months.

Why should I claim Universal Credit?

You should claim Universal Credit to protect your income and other things like free school meals, help with prescriptions, cost of living payment etc. 

What else should I claim?

Universal Credit does not replace Council Tax Reduction scheme so:

Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Universal Credit is replacing 6 means tested benefits listed above. All other benefits still continue.

Applying for Universal Credit

You normally have to apply online for Universal Credit through the Government website. But you can also make a telephone claim.

Apply for Universal Credit on Gov.uk

Please remember, If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your rent or there has been a change in your circumstances that will affect your rent payments, contact our team of experts on 01908 252937 (option 1).

We know that one in five UK adults (10.3 million people) have less than £100 in savings, with one in ten having no savings at all. Many are reported to be one broken appliance away from slipping into debt.

MKCC have various discretionary funds that provide additional support with rent costs to those already in receipt of benefits and as part of the 2022-23 budget setting process, MKCC have made a commitment to further support Council Tenants with these costs. MKCC recognise that working tenants who are not in receipt of benefit related rental assistance, will still be faced with financial pressures, and may not always be identified as a group eligible for wider support.

MKC are committed to supporting all Council Tenants, if you are a working tenant in a financial crisis, not entitled to assistance with rental costs, we may be able to provide assistance.  Read our Cost of Living support page for ways we may be able to help.

Your MKCC rent account

Your rent is due weekly in advance as part of the terms of your tenancy agreement. This means that your rent account should not fall into arrears in between your rent payments.

If you have an account with us you can pay your rent online now or you can set up an account it only takes a few minutes. We offer a wide range of other payment methods to make it easier for you to make the payment. Please find below more information about your MKCC rent account.

Difficulties paying your rent

If you can see a problem coming, do not wait until it arrives - talk to us as soon as possible. It is always easier to sort things out when arrears are small, and even when arrears are high.

At every opportunity we will discuss with you the circumstances and what has impacted your ability to pay. We will also try to put together a payment plan so you pay a realistic amount within a reasonable period of time, but we will always insist you see rent as the priority debt and request full payment as a starting point.

What happens if you do not pay your rent

It is important that you contact us to discuss your account and explain why you are having difficulties. The lack of payments or a payments arrangement plan will lead to enforcement action through the court, and you will be at serious risk of losing your home.

Benefits available to people on a low income or not working

If you are unemployed or on a low income you may be able to get extra help. If you need the latest information about welfare benefits to help you to pay your rent, you can start by checking the Department for Work and Pensions website.

The rent is your responsibility to pay, even if you receive benefits. It is also your responsibility to supply any supporting evidence to the benefits agencies which may support your claim for housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit (UC).

Other sources of information and support:

• Browse Benefits - Government
• Benefits & Council Tax
• Food Bank Xtra - Milton Keynes Council

If you are worried that you may struggle to pay your rent, or you have benefit or debt problems, we may be able to help through our money advice service if you contact our team, or you can review details of MKCC independent advice services.

Support we can offer

We have a dedicated team of Income and Welfare experts who are on hand to listen to your concerns and provide clear and compassionate guidance.

Even if you do not have a problem now, if you can see a problem coming, do not wait until it arrives – talk to us as soon as possible.

• discuss your rent account with your income officer
• find out more about any of the ways to pay your rent
• advise you on benefits you may be entitled to
• request a rent statement
• advise you how to set up online payments
• guide you on setting up your online rent account ‘My Account’
• review you finances and maximise your income
• direct you to independent, free organisations that can give you debt advice

Please remember, If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your rent or there has been a change in your circumstances that will affect your rent payments, contact our team of experts on 01908 252937 (option 1).

NEW - If you are a council tenant, or know someone who is a council tenants, who struggles financially please use our new Welfare referral online form.