53-week rent year

If you pay your rent weekly, you need to know that this financial year (April 2024-March 2025) is a 53-week rent year. Your rent is paid every week on a Monday, and this year there will be 53 Mondays. This is what it means to you.

Why is there a change this year?

There are 52 weeks in a typical year, which means there are 52 weekly charges for rent. Every five to six years, because of how the calendar falls, there are 53 Mondays in a year instead of 52. This means 53 weeks rent are charged rather than the usual 52.

Will I still have the four rent-free weeks?

If you usually benefit from four rent-free weeks, this will not change, this will mean that you will pay rent for 49 of the 53 weeks this year.  

You may need to make a change to your payments depending on how you pay your rent:

Universal Credit
If you get Universal Credit, the DWP work out your monthly rent by multiplying your weekly rent by 48 and then dividing it by 12. You’ll need to make up the difference between the monthly amount owed and the amount the DWP pays you. For example, if your rent is £90 per week, your monthly payment will be £367.50 but the DWP will only pay you £360.00. You will be required to make up the difference.

Housing Benefit
If you get Housing Benefit you don’t need to do anything, as this will be covered by the Housing Benefit payment cycles.

Direct Debit
If you pay by Direct Debit, we have updated the amount automatically and will contact you to confirm the new collection amounts.

Recurring card payment
If you pay by recurring card payment, we’ll update the amount automatically.

Standing Order
If you pay by Standing Order, you’ll need to contact your bank to update the amount.

Other methods
If you use a different method of payment, you’ll need to calculate your monthly payment by multiplying your weekly rent by 49 (not 48). Then divide the total into 12 equal monthly payments.  

For example, if your rent is £90 per week:  

• £90 multiplied by 49 (the number of chargeable Mondays in the year) = £4,410
• £4,410 divided by 12 (monthly payments) = £367.50

What do I do if I'm struggling to pay my rent?

If you’re finding it hard to pay your rent, it’s important that you speak to us. We will look at your personal circumstances, discuss an affordable repayment plan and help you find out if you are entitled to any other welfare benefits or support. Please call us on 0800 953 0213 or email rent@communitygateway.co.uk to see how we can help.