Rent Increase 2020-21
We review our rent and service charges every year to ensure that the services we provide have adequate funding in order that we can deliver them.
In accordance with the Scottish Social Housing Charter, we consult all of our tenants on our proposed rent increase, and this year we received a good response to our consultation.
Each year the Association considers a variety of factors when calculating rent levels. These include inflation, interest rates, future maintenance commitments and other anticipated costs. This year, following our consultation, the rent increase has been set at 1.7% for 2020/21. The full results of the January 2020 rent survey can be found on the Association’s website and will be available in the spring newsletter.
Your service charge (where applicable) will also increase by 1.7% and this will be added to your monthly rent charge. This is in relation to increases in contractor costs.
If you receive Housing Benefit, we will notify the Housing Benefit Department of this change in your monthly rent and service charge and your benefit entitlement should change in line with the increase. If you currently pay part of your rent to the Association you should continue to pay the same amount until we advise you of your new payment.
If you receive Universal Credit, you will need to notify the DWP of the increase in your rent and service charge. To do this you will need to take this letter to the Job Centre and also update your Universal Credit Journal. You will need to provide both the new rent charge AND service charge, if applicable, when updating UC. If you need help to do this, please contact your Housing Officer to discuss the matter or you can seek advice from Welfare Rights Advisors at West Dunbartonshire Council or the Independent Resource Centre in Clydebank.
• If you pay by standing order, please advise your bank of the new charge upon receipt of this letter.
• If you wish a benefits check to see if you can get help with paying your rent through Housing Benefit, please contact us and we can arrange a referral to a Benefits Advisor.
• If you would like any more information on either your rent account or how you may be affected by the rent increase please contact your Housing Officer, on (01389) 877752 (option 3).
