Rent increases

From 5 April 2021, the cost of renting a home from us is going to increase by 1.5%.

From 2016 up until 2020, we’ve seen the cost of rent decrease by 1% each year, which has meant we’ve had to reduce our costs wherever possible, whilst still delivering our core services.  

We are increasing our rent costs so that we can:

• Invest £83m in our existing homes over the next 10 years on new kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and roofs as part of our investment programme.
• Continue to invest more than ever on safety and compliance to ensure tenants feel safe and secure in their home. Increased investment in smoke alarm installations, new heating systems and replacement fire doors
• It will allow us to continue to deliver and improve on our core services such as Housing management and maintenance
• Continue to build much needed new housing for the people that need it most, by building 225 every year over the next 10 years.

A new ‘rent standard’ set by the government came into action from 1 April 2020, which meant housing associations like ourselves can increase our rents by up to CPI (the Consumer Price Index inflation measure) plus 1%. The government has said this standard will stay in place for five years. CPI at September 2020 was 0.5%, meaning that we are able to increase our rents by up to 1.5% in April.

We remain more affordable than privately renting a home. On average it costs around £141.67 per week for a three bedroom, private rent home in Scunthorpe. By comparison our rent (including the 1.5% increase) would only amount to £115.44, making it more than £26 per week cheaper.

Kevin Hornsby, Director of Communities, said: “This increase is in line with the 2020 Rent Standard, and the Government Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

“Renting an Ongo home remains on average 20% cheaper than one rented privately, but by increasing rent, we can continue to provide great services, invest in our existing homes and build new ones.

“If you’re a tenant and you’re struggling to pay your rent, please let us know. We have a dedicated team who can make sure you receive benefits you’re entitled to, help you to budget and give advice.”

This decision was made after consulting with Community Voice (our tenant panel) who supported this rent increase.

All of our tenants will receive a letter in the post by the end of February, updating them on their rent costs and any additional service charges for the year ahead.

For anyone that receives a rent increase letter, if you have any questions or queries – check out our handy Q&A document below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for you can get in touch with us.

From 5 April 2021, the cost of renting a home from us is going to increase by 1.5%.

From 2016 up until 2020, we’ve seen the cost of rent decrease by 1% each year, which has meant we’ve had to reduce our costs wherever possible, whilst still delivering our core services.  

We are increasing our rent costs so that we can:

• Invest £1m in our existing homes over the next 10 years on new kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and roofs as part of our investment programme.
• Continue to invest more than ever on safety and compliance to ensure tenants feel safe and secure in their home. Increased investment in smoke alarm installations, new heating systems and replacement fire doors
• It will allow us to continue to deliver and improve on our core services such as Housing management and maintenance
• Continue to build much needed new housing for the people that need it most, by building 225 every year over the next 10 years.

A new ‘rent standard’ set by the government came into action from 1 April 2020, which meant housing associations like ourselves can increase our rents by up to CPI (the Consumer Price Index inflation measure) plus 1%. The government has said this standard will stay in place for five years. CPI at September 2020 was 0.5%, meaning that we are able to increase our rents by up to 1.5% in April.

We remain more affordable than privately renting a home. On average it costs around £141.67 per week for a three bedroom, private rent home in Scunthorpe. By comparison our rent (including the 1.5% increase) would only amount to £115.44, making it more than £26 per week cheaper.

Kevin Hornsby, Director of Communities, said: “This increase is in line with the 2020 Rent Standard, and the Government Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

“Renting an Ongo home remains on average 20% cheaper than one rented privately, but by increasing rent, we can continue to provide great services, invest in our existing homes and build new ones.

“If you’re a tenant and you’re struggling to pay your rent, please let us know. We have a dedicated team who can make sure you receive benefits you’re entitled to, help you to budget and give advice.”

This decision was made after consulting with Community Voice (our tenant panel) who supported this rent increase.

All of our tenants will receive a letter in the post by the end of February, updating them on their rent costs and any additional service charges for the year ahead.

For anyone that receives a rent increase letter, if you have any questions or queries – check out our handy Q&A document below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for you can get in touch with us.