Housing rent is due to be paid every Monday throughout the year.
There are usually 52 Mondays in a rent year, so 52 weekly payments are due during the course of the year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March.
Sometimes there are 53 Mondays between 1 April and 31 March - and you will be liable to make 53 weekly rent payments. We call this a '53-week rent year', and it only happens every few years.
This year, from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, is a 53 week rent year.
We send out rent letters during March to show your new weekly rent amount from 1 April onwards.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.
Weekly payers
If you pay your rent to us weekly, please pay the new weekly amount shown on your rent letter for each of the 53 weeks from 1 April.
Monthly payers
To find your monthly payment amount you need to multiply the new weekly rent by 53 and divide it by 12. For example:
- weekly rent of £100 x 53 weeks = £5300
- £5300 ÷ 12 months = £441.67 per calendar month
Please let your bank know the new amount to send us if you pay by standing order.
Payments are different if you receive Universal Credit, see more below.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjust your monthly payments to take the correct amount.
If you claim Universal Credit your monthly housing contribution will only cover the equivalent of 52 rent payments. In a 53-week rent year you will have to pay one full week's rent payment yourself to make-up the extra week that isn't covered by your Universal Credit.
If you currently pay rent by Direct Debit
The extra week's rent has been spread across your monthly payments, you don't need to do anything. If your Universal Credit changes during the year we will update your Direct Debit.
If you don't pay by Direct Debit
You can pay a little extra each week or month, or by pay an extra full week's rent at the end of the year.
For example:
- rent = £100 a week
- £100 ÷ 12 months = £8.33 per month extra to pay
We can help you budget for this, call us on 01246 345345 or visit us at the Customer Service Centre. If your Universal Credit changes during the year we can help you work out a new payment plan.
Why do I have to pay one week's rent myself?
Even though we charge your rent weekly, Universal Credit, which is paid to you by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is paid monthly.
The DWP calculates your monthly rent amount by multiplying your weekly rent by 52 and then dividing it by 12; they then use this amount to work out how much to give you towards your rent each month.
This calculation is set in legislation, and only allows for the weekly rent to be multiplied by a maximum of 52 (even if it is a 53 week year). Find out more in the Universal Credit Regulations.
Notifying the DWP about a change to your rent
If you claim Universal Credit, you must tell the DWP about your new rent charge. You can call them on 0800 328 9344 or, if you have an online Universal Credit account, you should report this change via your journal. If you need help with this you can visit us at the Customer Service Centre.
If a change to your rent means that you are entitled to more Universal Credit, this may not be backdated if you don't report it straight away. If the change results in less Universal Credit entitlement and you report the change late, you will be asked to pay back any money you have been overpaid.
Housing Benefit will cover the 53-week rent year.
Please make payments as shown on your annual rent letter - if your Housing Benefit changes during the year we will let you know the new payments you need to make.
Contact our rents team by email at revenues.rents@chesterfield.gov.uk for advice on how to pay the extra week's rent.
If you are struggling with your payments, our rent recovery team are also available to speak to you on 01246 345345.
Our dedicated benefits take-up officer can help you find our what benefits are available and claim what you are entitled to. Email benefits@chesterfield.gov.uk or call 01246 345345.