2024-2025: ’53-week’ year
As we charge your rent weekly, please be aware that this upcoming financial year (2024/2025) is a 53-week rent year, instead of the usual 52.
This happens every five or six years, keeping in line with the calendar year. Your rent is due every Monday and there will be 53 Mondays in the new financial year (which for rent purposes begins on Monday 1st April 2024 and ends on Sunday 6th April 2025), so this means you’ll have an extra week of rent to pay this year.
You may need to make a change to your payments depending on how you pay your rent. Listed below are the different methods used to pay rent. Please select which one you use to find out if you need to do anything:
Direct Debit
If you pay by direct debit, we have updated the amount automatically and you should have received a letter with details of the new collection amounts.
If you haven’t received this letter or if you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 833 160.
Recurring Card Payment
If you pay by recurring card payment, please contact South Essex Homes on 0800 833 160 to amend the payment amount, as this will not be done automatically.
Please do this as soon as possible in time for the new charge coming into effect.
Standing Order
If you pay by standing order, you’ll need to contact your bank to update the amount you pay for your rent.
To calculate your monthly payment, multiply your weekly rent by 53. Then divide the total into 12 equal monthly payments.
For example, if your rent is £100 per week:
£100 multiplied by 53 (the number of chargeable Mondays in the year) = £5,300
£5,300 divided by 12 (monthly payments) = £441.67
Universal Credit
If you claim Universal Credit, you’ll need to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about the change to your rent. You should do this by updating the ‘Confirm your Housing Costs’ on your Universal Credit journal after 1 April 2024. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact your work coach.
As it’s a 53-week year, your Universal Credit for the year will not cover the full amount of rent and you’ll need to pay the difference.
Housing Benefit
We will inform them of your new rent and charges for 2024/2025.
They’ll recalculate your Housing Benefit and write to you with the details. If you have not received your notification, please contact the Housing Benefit department.
Other Methods
If you pay using a different method to those listed above, you’ll need to calculate your monthly payment by multiplying your weekly rent by 53. Then divide the total into 12 equal monthly payments.
For example, if your rent is £100 per week:
£100 multiplied by 53 (the number of chargeable Mondays in the year) = £5,300
£5,300 divided by 12 (monthly payments) = £441.67
Unsure what you need to do or having problems paying?
If you’re not sure what to do, or you’re having difficulty meeting your payments, please call us on 0800 833 160 or email sehcustomerservice@seh.southend.gov.uk
Our friendly team are here to help.