Changes to your rent from April 2026

Why is my rent changing? 

Rent for social housing is reviewed every year in line with government policy. This policy allows housing providers to increase rent by an amount linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for rented customers, and the Retail Price Index (RPI) for shared owners. These are a measure of how the cost of everyday goods and services changes over time - with an additional amount set by government. 

This annual review helps housing providers continue maintaining homes, delivering services, and investing in communities. 

How much is my rent changing? 

Your new rent amount will depend on the type of home you live in, such as: 

You’ll receive a personalised letter explaining your new rent and any service charges. 

Why do rent changes happen each year? 

Annual rent changes help us: 

Rent payments are reinvested into improving our services and your homes. 

What do I need to do if I pay by Direct Debit? 

You don’t need to do anything. We’ll update your Direct Debit for you and notify you of the new amount at least five working days before it’s taken. 

What if I pay by standing order? 

You’ll need to contact your bank to update the amount you pay. Your letter will show your new rent and service charge details. 

I claim Universal Credit - what should I do? 

If you receive Universal Credit, you’ll need to update the Department for Work and Pensions on or after the date your new rent starts. An activity will appear in your Universal Credit journal telling you what to do. 

Please don’t update your Universal Credit account before the date stated in your rent letter - doing so could delay your payments. 

I receive Housing Benefit that is paid directly to Abri. Do I need to do anything? 

No - we’ll let your local council know about your new rent. They’ll update your Housing Benefit and send you a confirmation. 

I receive Housing Benefit that is paid to me. What do I need to do? 

You’ll need to tell your local council about your new rent as soon as possible. They may ask to see a copy of your rent letter. 

Your rent is due for 52 weeks unless your tenancy states otherwise, and you must tell them that there are no rent-free weeks so that you get the correct amount of housing benefit between April 2026 and April 2027. 

What support is available if I’m worried about affording my rent? 

We’re here to support you We’ve got lots of support available to you on our website, including: 

You can find the support available to you here. 

Abri customers can also now use the Housing Perks app which allows you to access discounts at over 100 major retailers. You can even use the money you save towards your rent. 

Download the Housing Perks App here. 

How were customers consulted about rent changes? 

It’s important to us that you feel confident your voices influence the decisions we make - especially when it comes to something as important as rent. That’s why, in late November and early December, we invited you to join a series of digital rent workshops to talk openly about the proposed rent changes and what they mean.  

During the workshops, we explained how rent changes are calculated, how rent is used to deliver services and maintain homes, and what support is available if anyone is finding things difficult. Colleagues from across Abri also joined the sessions to answer questions, helping create open, informed discussions where you could shape how we communicate and improve our services going forward. 

I’m still unsure about something - who can I talk to? 

If you’ve got any questions or concerns about your rent, please get in touch with us. We’re here to help, and we’ll always do our best to support you. You can: