53 week rent year

Information about your rent payments

Did you know that 2024-25 is a 53-week rent year.

There are usually 52 Mondays in a rent year, which runs from the first Monday in April until the end of March the following year.

Every four years, there are 53 Mondays between 1 April and 31 March.

  • This year 1 April fell on a Monday, therefore this rent year runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and is a 53-week rent year

What does this mean for me

Depending on how you pay your rent, you may not need to do anything. However, we urge everyone to carefully review the information below.

Direct Debit payers

You do not need to do anything, whether you pay weekly or monthly, your Direct Debit payments will be updated to reflect the 53 weeks.

Note, weekly payers will be paying for the 53 weeks, but over 52 payments

Standing Order

As you are in control of your Standing Order, you will need to ensure you update this with your bank, to reflect the increase in your rent.

Housing Benefit

You do not need to do anything. Your weekly Housing Benefit will automatically be paid to your rent account over 53 weeks.

Universal Credit

Although Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council charges rent weekly, Universal Credit will pay your Housing Element monthly.

Current legislation means Universal Credit will only calculate your Housing Element entitlement using a 52 week calculation.

For example:

  • Weekly rent is £101.28 per week
  • £101.28 x 52 weeks = £5,266.56
  • £5266.56 / 12 months = £438.88 per calendar month

As this year is a 53-week rent year, you will have a shortfall in your Housing Element of Universal Credit by one week

I am in receipt of Universal Credit, what do I do

If Universal Credit pay your rent to the Council directly, you will need to pay a little extra to cover the week’s shortfall. If you do not, your account will fall into arrears and you may receive reminder letters.

If you receive Universal Credit but pay the rent yourself, you will need to pay a little extra to cover the week’s shortfall, by calculating your rent using 53 weeks.

For example:

  • Your weekly rent is £101.28
  • Universal Credit pay you £438.88 per month Housing Element (calculated using 52 weeks)
  • £101.28 x 53 weeks = £5367.84
  • £5367.84 / 12 months = £447.32 you need to pay monthly

If you wish to discuss your rent payments, contact Customer Accounts on 024 7637 6323 or email customer.accounts@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.

View further information about how Universal Credit is paid, and to make a claim.

Other useful information