Rent Increase 2025/2026
Each year Mid Devon Housing (MDH) calculates rent by following a formula set by the Government. In October 2017, the Government announced its intention to set a long term rent deal for Local Authority landlords and Housing Associations. This would permit annual rent increases on social rent of up to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1 percentage point from 2020, for a period of five years. The CPI is always taken from the previous September, and in 2024, this was 1.7%. This means MDH rents will increase by 2.7% from April 2025. This is a reduction from the previous year, which saw an increase of 7.7%.
What happens next?
The rent increase was discussed and approved at full Council on Wednesday the 19th February 2025. All tenants will receive an annual rent increase letter which will explain what your new rent amount will be, which will begin from the 7th April 2025.
Why are we increasing rents?
The cost of maintaining homes has risen but it’s important that we can continue to invest in repairs, maintenance and improving our homes. The rent our tenants pay is our main source of income, this money is used to pay for the services we provide you, from responsive repairs, planned maintenance, building new social homes to helping and supporting you to manage your tenancy. The yearly increase in rent ensures that MDH can continue to deliver and improve services.
What should I do if I’m struggling to pay my rent?
We are committed to helping tenants who are facing financial difficulties. If you are struggling, please get in touch with your Income Neighbourhood Officer, we are here to help and will work with you to reach a solution. We work with multiple agencies in order to help including CHAT, Navigate, Citizens Advice, Age UK and National Debt Line. You can email your Income Neighbourhood Officer on htenancy@middevon.gov.uk or call 01884 255255.
We also have a dedicated financial support page on our website Residents' Financial Support - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK where you can find out how to apply for the Discretionary Housing Payment, the Household Support Fund (closes 31st March 2025), help with food and energy costs and lots more.
Important information for anyone claiming Universal Credit
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit you will need to report this rent change to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This needs to be done on, or soon after, 7th April 2025, via the online DWP Portal. You will need to select the “UC Account Home Page” and choose the “Report a change of circumstances” option, then within that option you will need to select the “Where you live and what it costs” option. You are responsible for ensuring that you are being paid correctly for your housing costs.