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).