frequently asked questions about changes in rent and service charges

• Why has my rent reduced?
• When will my rent be reduced?
• Will I still be able to claim Housing Benefit even if the rent is reduced?
• Why have I not received a refund for rent paid since April 2009 if the government has received extra money?
• Why haven't my service charges such as caretaking and estate lighting charges reduced as well as the rent?
• My rent and service charges are too high at the moment - what can I do about it?
• How do I get more information on how the rents are calculated?

Why has my rent reduced?

The government has given certain councils extra money so that they can reduce rent increases this year. The increase in rent was set at an average of 6.2% in April. With the extra money from the government we are able to reduce this to an average of 2.94% (£2.34 a week) from 6th July. From 6th July 2009 tenants will pay an average of £3.36 less rent every week. Your rent reduction may not be the same as this amount as all rents are calculated separately, although all tenants will get a reduction. If you want to know more about how your rent is calculated you can call us on 020 8489 2409.

When will my rent be reduced?

The reduction in rent will take effect from 6th July 2009.

Will I still be able to claim Housing Benefit even if the rent is reduced?

Yes, so long as your circumstances have not changed your entitlement to housing benefit will not change. Your housing benefit will be adjusted to take account of the lower rent. If you want to make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to you can contact the housing benefit team:

Haringey Council’s website: www.haringey.gov.uk
Call Haringey Council on 0845 071 2800
Write to:Benefits Service, PO Box 10505, Wood Green, N22 7WJ
Email: benefits@haringey.gov.uk

If you think you may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, make sure you claim as soon as possible because claims cannot be backdated unless there is a good reason for your late claim.

Why have I not received a refund for rent paid since April 2009 if the government has received extra money?

The lower rent payments for this year start from 6th July. The new amount to pay takes into account the rent you have already paid in the first three months so, over the full year, you will pay exactly the same amount of rent. There are two main reasons for managing the rent reduction in this way:

• We have already sent a legal notice informing tenants of their rent and service charges from April 2009. Any change to rents from April could invalidate this legal notice. It is therefore necessary to send a new legal notice setting a new lower rent from 6th July 2009.
• There would also be a considerable cost in processing refunds for 16,000 tenants. Housing benefit payments would have to be recovered where tenants have received housing benefit on higher rents charged from April 2009.

Why haven’t my service charges such as caretaking and estate lighting charges reduced as well as the rent?

The government has given the council extra money to reduce rent increases only. The service charges you pay will remain the same because they are based upon the actual cost of services provided. These have not changed.

My rent and service charges are too high at the moment - what can I do about it?

Because the government’s rent policy tells the council what each rent should be, we cannot change the rent for individual properties. If you have concerns about the affordability of your current rent and service charges you should speak with your Income Collection Officer.

How do I get more information on how the rents are calculated?

Go to Paying rent and service charges.