53 week rent year

There are usually 52 Mondays in a year. Occasionally there are 53 weeks in the rent year instead of 52.

This is because in the financial year 2024/25 there are 53 Mondays (this last happened five years ago.)

This means 53 weeks of rent needs to be paid.

If you have received a communication about this, it is because you pay your rent charges weekly. As there are 53 weeks in this year, you need to pay 53 weeks of rent.

If you receive housing benefit, your local authority will pay 53 weeks rent over the year.

You will need to pay any shortfall between your rent charge and benefit entitlement, as well as any payments you are due to make.

This will make sure you do not fall into arrears between payments.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) decided that it will not pay the 53rd week for customers who receive Universal Credit. This is not our decision.

The DWP decided that they will only ever calculate payments based on 52 weeks in a year.  

This means your monthly payment will not cover your full monthly rent charge each month this year.

You will need to pay any shortfall plus ensure your account does not fall into arrears between payments i.e. your rent is paid when it is due.

• If you are on Managed Payments (for Universal Credit), the 53rd payment will not be paid for you. You will need to make this payment yourself. You can make this payment by calling our customer service centre or speaking to your housing manager. If you are worried about making this payment, we can help. Book a call with our financial inclusion team.
• If you receive Universal Credit and pay your rent to us directly, the easiest way to make this extra payment is via My Home Account.

We know this is a cost you may not have budgeted for. We are here to help.

If you are unable to cover the shortfall in your rent or are worried about finances, our financial inclusion team can support you.

They can support you to do a spending plan and offer advice on ways to reduce outgoings to help you to manage an affordable and manageable repayment plan.

They can also signpost you to external organisations who may be able to help you with other debts or loans you may be struggling with.

This support is designed to help you to prioritise and make the most of your income so that you can keep your tenancy and your home by making sure your account doesn’t fall into further arrears.

They have helped thousands of people to make plans to stay up to date with their rent.  

Find out more and book in a call with the team.

It is one week’s rent (as per your tenancy agreement). If you are not sure what this is, please check with your housing manager. 

*Please note, if you are making additional payments already towards any rent arrears, you will need to add this to those payments. 

If you do not receive benefits, and are charged rent weekly, you will need to pay a 53rd week. You can pay this over the course of the year, or make a one off payment.

The easiest way to adjust a payment is in My Home Account, but you can also speak to your housing manager.

Whether you receive benefits or not, you should also check whether your rent account falls into arrears between your payments, you can check this on My Home Account.