Dear Tenant,
You'll have recently received a rent statement and rent increase letter in the post. An insert with some additional useful information was missed from this, so we wanted to share this with you. We apologise for missing this and for any inconvenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do we need to increase rents?
A. It is necessary to increase rents each year to ensure that Housing Leeds is able to continue to cover increases in costs of providing essential services to tenants and properties including repairs and maintenance, property investment and tenancy and estate management services.
Q. When will my rent increase take effect?
A. The new charges will become effective from the Monday 3rd April 2023.
Q. How much will my rent increase by?
A. We are increasing rent by 7%. The Government’s rent increase formula for social housing of Consumer Price Index (CPI) +1% would have given an allowable rent increase of up to 11.1%. However, following a consultation to cap social housing rent increases, it was announced by Government that rent increases would be capped at 7%.
Q. I pay a service charge for additional services received. Is this being increased?
A. Yes. Most service charges are increasing by 38% due to significant increases in energy costs to the Council. Additional services may include lighting, heating or the cleaning of communal areas, lifts, communal furniture or facilities or heating charges.
Details of your new service charge will be outlined in the rent increase letter.
The amount being charged represents a contribution to the actual cost of providing the additional services and it is considered fairer that those tenants who receive additional services contribute towards these costs. This will help the Council continue to invest in improving homes, estates, and multi-storey blocks.
Q. I live in a retirement life home. Is my charge for support increasing?
A. No. Support charges are reducing from 3 April 2023 to £8.51 per week. Following some updated guidance from the Department of Work and Pensions we have made some changes to how we charge for service charges for support.
Q. I am worried that I cannot afford an increase in my rent. What should I do?
A. Please read the information on the back of your rent statement which provides useful information about making a claim for benefit and has details of how you get advice and support. For more information and advice go to www.leeds.gov.uk/rent or contact your local housing office.
Q. How is my rent money spent?
Further information is provided below, detailing how the rent collected by Housing Leeds is spent.
How your rent is spent
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