Rent Changes 2025 Video Transcript

Start:

The standard screen background of a cream coloured background with Estuary logo in the top left corner and five polka style dots scattered around the screen.

Throughout, text appears on the screen as it is read.

00:00:00-00:00:05

Title Screen: The words Rent Increases Explained appear to the left with a pile of change and coins.

Voice Over:

Rent increases explained.

00:00:05-00:00:14

Screen moves on to standard screen:

Voice Over:
For our social rented homes, the rent standard allows us to increase the rent each year. This is based on the Consumer Price Index percentage at September 2024, plus 1%.

00:00:14-00:00:15

[Screen changes to show “CPI + 1%” and changes back to text to match speech]

00:00:16-00:00:21

Voice Over:
So, for 2025/26, the rent increase will be 2.7%

00:00:22-00:00:23

[Screen changes to show “2.7%” and changes back to text to match speech]

00:00:23-00:00:28

For leaseholders, any increase is done in line with the terms of your lease.

00:00:28-00:00:43

Voice Over:
If you pay a service charge, then this is based on our cost for providing these services and are not limited in the same way as your rent.

However, we understand our customers may be struggling due to the costs of living. Because of this, where possible, we have not increased the service charge by more than £325 per household.

00:00:43-00:00:48

[Screen changes to show £325 per household and changes back to text to match speech]

00:00:48-00:00:52

Title Screen: The words Rent Increases, when does it change? Appear to the left, with a small set of keys in front of a door and keylock to the right.

Voice Over:
So, when does it change?

00:00:52-00:00:56

Screen moves on to standard screen:

Voice Over:
For most residents the change happens annually in April each year.

00:00:56-00:01:02

Voice Over:
You should check your tenancy agreement, as for some the change may be less frequent or not occur in the first April following a new tenancy.

00:01:02-00:01:11

Voice Over:
You will receive a letter from us in February or March advising what your new payment will be and why there's been a change.

00:01:11-00:01:13

[Screen changes to show “Please read the letter carefully”, and moves back to match the speech]

Voice Over:
Please read the letter carefully,

00:01:13-00:01:19

Voice Over:
it will tell you what you need to do.

00:01:19-00:01:22

[Screen changes to show Keep the letter safe, and moves back to the standard screen]

Voice Over:
Keep the letter safe,

00:01:22-00:01:29

Voice Over:
it is important, and you may need to provide this as evidence of the change to your rent and service charge if you claim benefits.

00:01:29-00:01:34

Title Screen: The words "Rent Increases, What Do I Need to Do?" appear to the left, with a hand using a calculator next to a computer keyboard on the right.

Voice Over:
So, what do I need to do?

00:01:34-00:01:42

Screen moves on to standard screen:

Voice Over:
If you claim housing benefit you are responsible for telling your local Council of the change. You can do this as soon as you get the letter.

00:01:42-00:01:49

[Screen changes to show "There's always an exception!", and moves back to the standard screen]

Voice Over:
Of course, there's always an exception!

If you live in the Maldon District Council area, they prefer we tell them.

00:01:49-00:02:12

Voice Over:
If you receive Universal Credit then it is your responsibility to update your journal with the new rent and service charge. But don’t do this until the day of the change or shortly after, as they will not accept it.

Please don’t forget as they may not backdate your benefit payments. Put this in your calendar as a reminder.

00:02:12-00:02:26

[Screen changes to show "We'll adjust your Direct Debit...", and moves back to the standard screen]

Voice Over:
We'll adjust your Direct Debit.

If you pay us using Direct Debit we’ll adjust this for you from April. This will include any agreement you have made to clear arrears.

00:02:26-00:02:42

[Screen changes to show "...but not any other form of payment", and moves back to the standard screen]

Voice Over:
...but not any other form of payment.

We cannot change any other form of payment. So, if you pay by another method, you will have to make the changes yourself. With some ways of paying, this might take some time, so it's best to let them know as soon as you do. Some banks need 10 working days' notice.

00:02:42-00:02:54

Voice Over:
Other important things you can do to be ready for your rent change:

You can check our website, estuary.co.uk. This will provide you with lots of information and places to help.

00:02:54-00:03.03

Voice Over:
You can check our benefits calculator. Also on the website, this will help you check you're getting the benefits you're entitled to.

00:03.03-00:03.15

Voice Over:

You do not have to be in arrears to be struggling, so call or message us if you need to talk about your situation. Our teams are here to help.

00:03:15-00:03:29

Voice Over: Contact us.

You can call us on 0300 304 5000, check our socials or visit our website estuary.co.uk. You can find us on Facebook or you can email us info@estuary.co.uk.

[Screen changes to contact details, showing 0300 304 5000, estuary.co.uk, estuaryha on Facebook and email address info@estuary.co.uk.]