Every few years there is an extra Monday in the year, the 2024 – 2025 rent year is one of these years. This is because the current rent year falls between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025 and has 53 Mondays and therefore 53 rent weeks.
How will this affect you?
If you claim Universal Credit...
The DWP does not recognise a 53 week year for Universal Credit and will still calculate Housing Costs over a 52 week year. This means there is a potential for a shortfall in your Housing Costs amount over the year and you will need to pay for the additional week yourself.
To avoid falling into arrears we encourage you to pay a little extra each week or month to ensure your rent is covered. If you pay by Direct Debit we can do this automatically for you.
Our Rents Team is here to help and you can contact us by calling 01253 477900 (select option 1) or email rent@bch.co.uk.
If you receive full Housing Benefit...
This will not affect you as the additional rent week will be covered in your full Housing Benefit payments.
If you pay by Direct Debit...
You do not need to do anything as we will calculate and adjust your payments accordingly.
If you pay by Standing Order or card payments...
You will need to adjust your payment amounts to ensure you do not fall into arrears. You can call our Rents Team to help you with this calculation on 01253 477900 (select option 1).
If you need any help, don't know what to do or are struggling to pay your rent, please contact our dedicated Rents Team. We're here to help on 01253 477900 (select option 1) or email rent@bch.co.uk.BCH Rents Team