April Rent Increase

Azura
Azura Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
in Universal Credit (UC)

Sorry if this is so obvious - it's the first time I've had to report a change, after being migrated from ESA.

I'm in a council property and just had my letter for my yearly rent increase. It says it starts from 6th April.

I went to Report Changes, on my journal and there is a banner at the top saying -

To report annual rent changes happening on 1 April 2026 or 6 April 2026, wait for a 'Confirm your housing costs' to-do.

So does that mean I don't have to tell them, or do anything - as they will get in touch with me? Also, is it quite easy for them to sort this out (they pay straight to my landlord) - as I had months of problems with them, last year on my migration. They kept getting everything wrong, until it had to go to an official - and it made my health really bad. So I am really scared to be having to sort things out with them again - and am fearing the worst.

Also - does the extra rent increase, come off my Transitional Protection? I'm worried they won't take the extra off, and overpay me. Has anyone else had it all go smoothly?

Thank you, in advance.

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,486 Championing

    UC can't deal with future changes.

    For social housing rental costs, a To Do will appear on your Journal the first week of April.

    This is how you let them know of your new rent amount.

    So on the 6th you report your new rent amount via the To Do.

    UC then confirm the amount directly with your landlord.

    Yes your Transitional Protection will reduce by the same amount that the rent increases.

  • Azura
    Azura Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor

    Thank you Kimi.

    Ok, I will try not to worry. I just thought I had to report it, as soon as I got the letter - I didn't want to get in trouble, for not letting them know. It sounds much easier than when they had to do it, when I started migration. Thank you for all your help.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Online Community Member Posts: 9,335 Championing

    Would i have to call them as phone claim ah so nerve racking

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,486 Championing

    With a phone claim yes you would need to phone them to give them your new rent amount in April.

  • Azura
    Azura Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1107070#Comment_1107070

    Sorry, I don't know, Catherine. But Kimi has said yes you would. It's scary, isn't it?

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Online Community Member Posts: 9,335 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1107071#Comment_1107071

    Thankyou i got bedroom tax as well

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Online Community Member Posts: 9,335 Championing

    Does give me butterflies but i tell myself millions of us will be doing same and tbh all contact ive had with uc even job centre to do ID check for uc was fine and i made myself so ill leading up to migration for uc all of this is so new on 6th april i will call first thing to get it done kimi amazimg scope amazing so we get good advice we got each other

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