Annual Rent Review 2025/2026

Your rent charge has been reviewed and in line with current guidance from Government and the Regulator of Social Housing, your rent increase is limited to a maximum of 2.7% (September Consumer Price Index +1%).

Rent covers the expected costs of management, maintenance, the cost of loans to build and refurbish properties and to provide for major repairs required in the future. We will continue to invest in your homes, ensuring that they remain safe and fit for purpose.  

Service charges, if they apply to you, are payments for the communal services we provide, such as grounds maintenance, cleaning, lighting, etc. as part of your tenancy or leasehold arrangement.   For a full  breakdown please speak to your Customer Relations Manager or Scheme Manager. 

 

If you live in one of our General Needs properties, including Retirement Living, we operate a fixed service charge, whereby charges are estimated based on a combination of actual costs previously incurred, the cost of any new services, and also takes into account any inflationary increases that are expected, including those applied by any external contractors or suppliers. BCHG can cap these to ensure that increases remain affordable to our customers, however it is important that a balanced approach is taken to ensure that services can be provided in a financially viable way.

The easiest way to pay your rent and service charge is by direct debit. Alternatively, you can set up a standing order with your bank, make online payments or use a payment card. You can also download the AllPay app on your smart phone. Please contact your Customer Relations Manager or Scheme Manager for more details.   

Yes, you must tell The Department of Work and Pensions of your new rent and service charge through your  online journal or through your Work Coach. You should check your journal to complete any “To Do” tasks as quickly as possible to make sure your benefits are paid correctly. You should speak to the Department of Work and Pensions as soon as you receive this letter about the best time to tell them of the change, because if you tell them too early, this may affect the amount you get for your housing costs.  If your award is not amended, your rent account will  fall into arrears which you will need to pay. 

You are responsible to make sure your rent is paid. You must tell the Housing Benefit department of your new rent and service charge so they can make sure your new award is changed in line with the new charges.  If your award is not amended, your rent account will fall into arrears which you will need to pay. 

We may send text messages to you from time to time to tell you important information and to keep you up to date. This may include how we can support you to manage your rent account.  

Please contact us straight away so that we can offer you one to one support, which will include personal budgeting support, assistance with additional benefits and grants and arranging affordable payment agreements.

Yes, we cannot amend standing orders so please contact your bank immediately to amend your payments.  

No, we will do this for you. You will receive a letter from AllPay to confirm this change. Please check the letter to make sure the details are correct and let us know if anything needs to be amended. 

Multiply the total weekly charge by 52 and divide by 12. This will ensure you pay the same amount every month and that your account is kept up to date.  

Yes, this will have been included automatically in the direct debit change. You will need to include this in any standing order increases.  Please continue to pay the agreed amount off the arrears if you make your payments online or by rent payment card.  

We will never call you to ask you to pay your rent over the telephone. If you are ever in doubt or need more information, please contact us.