Rent increases (April 2012)

Your rent increase

If you're on an assured or starter tenancy with Notting Hill you will have received information about the increases in your rent for 2012/2013.

These changes to your rent begin from Monday 2 April 2012.

How is my new rent calculated?

The government has set a target rent (how much we can charge) which is based on:

• the value of housing in the area

• the average earnings in the region.

Most of our rents are well below the Target Rent and will gradually increase each year until they reach it. We increase rents using the following formula:

RPI + 0.5 per cent = Change in your target rent.

What is RPI (retail price index)?

The RPI is an indicator of inflation. It measures the average change from month to month in the prices of goods and services purchased in the UK. The RPI being used this year is 5.6 % which is put forward by our regulator and approved by our Board. It may seem high compared to recent years; this is because of the current economic climate.

If your rent is below the Target Rent it will increase this year by RPI + 0.5% (6.1%) plus up to £2 per week.

If your rent is above the Target Rent it will increase by adding RPI + 0.5% (6.1%) minus up to £2 per week.

If your rent is the same as the target rent it will increase by RPI + 0.5%.

Your rent notice contained a breakdown of how your rent (excluding service charge, furniture charge and other charges) was calculated.

Frequently asked questions about rent increases

Can I appeal against the rent increase?

If you think we have calculated your increase incorrectly, contact your Housing Officer or contact the Rents and Project Officer in Notting Hill Housing at rent&projects@nhhg.org.uk

You can appeal against the Target Rent we have set for your property, or the level of the increase, through the independent Rent Assessment Committee (RAC). You can contact them on 020 7446 7700. You must appeal before the new rent starts on 2nd April 2012, using the appropriate form which is available from a law stationer or the RAC.

We recommend that you seek independent advice before appealing because the Rent Assessment Committee's role is to set a market rent (which can be two to three times the rent charged by Notting Hill).

I can't afford to pay the rent – What should I do?

If you are having difficulties paying your rent or are worried you might fall into arrears, contact your Housing Officer. They can agree the best way for you to meet your commitments with a personal payment plan and advice. You may be entitled to housing benefit or other benefits and your Housing Officer will be able to advise you.

You can also seek independent advice and help with managing debt from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

I am on housing benefit - what do I need to do?

You need to let your housing benefit office know that your rent has increased.

Show the benefit office your rent increase letter as soon as possible (and before the rent increase takes effect). If you fail to do this, and get into arrears as a result, you are liable for those arrears.

What if i am a Notting Hill Housing Assured resident and I want to move?

If you choose to move to another property, you can choose to bid on Locata for homes which are advertised at Social Rent or Affordable rent levels. This information will be included in the advert. If you are successful in bidding for a social rent home, you will pay a social rent that is based on the target rent for your new home and keep your assured tenancy. If you are successful in bidding for an Affordable Rent home you will have a five year fixed term tenancy and pay an Affordable Rent level.

What if I am a Notting Hill Housing secure resident and I want to move?

If you have a secure tenancy and you choose to move and you bid on a social rent property, you will retain your secure tenancy and social rent - known for secure residents as fair rent, set by the fair rent officer.

• How to move home.

Can I see a breakdown of my service charge?

Service charges are calculated to recover what we expect the services to cost over the next year - the service charge breakdown was included with the rent increase notice we sent you, but please contact your Housing Officer if you want more detail about how it was calculated.

I am not happy with the standard of services provided – What should I do?

If you think they are not being completed to an acceptable standard, contact your Housing Officer.

More information

For more information on the rent increase contact your Housing Officer or email rent&projectsteam@nhhg.org.uk.

If you are a supported resident (Pathways) and want more information, contact us on 020 8357 4589 or nottinghillpathways@nhhg.org.uk.