Rent in social housing
Rent is money you pay your council or housing association to live in your home.
Your tenancy agreement should tell you:
how often to pay your rent
how your rent can be increased
what any service charges are for
Council and housing association rents usually go up every April.
Your landlord can usually increase rent by up to 1% over the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
For example, if the CPI is 3.2%, your rent can go up by 4.2%.
The CPI is published on GOV.UK every month.
Service charges
You might have to pay a service charge for:
cleaning, lighting and maintenance of internal communal areas
gardening and maintenance of outside space
entry systems, lifts and rubbish chutes
caretakers, wardens or emergency alarm systems
buildings insurance and management fees
Service charges are more common in flats than houses.
Find out more about service charges for council and housing association tenants.
Benefits to help with rent
If you have a low income you could get:
universal credit if you are working age
housing benefit if you are pension age
housing benefit if you are in a hostel, refuge, supported or temporary housing
Benefits may not cover your full rent.
You could apply for a housing payment if you still need help.
Paying your rent to your landlord
Housing benefit for council tenants is paid direct to your landlord.
Your benefits are usually paid to you if you get universal credit or rent from a housing association .
You have to pass on the rent to your landlord.
How to pay your rent
Most councils and housing associations accept rent payments:
online
by phone
by bank transfer or direct debit
Your landlord might give you an electronic rent payment card to use at a post office or in some shops.
When to pay your rent
Check your tenancy agreement.
Most agreements say you must pay your rent in advance.
Some agreements let you have some rent free weeks, for example, at Christmas.
Universal credit and housing benefit are paid in arrears.
If your benefits have not started
Pay your rent if you can while you wait for your benefits.
Speak to your housing association or council if you cannot do this.
Rent increases
Secure council tenants must get at least 4 weeks' written notice of a rent increase.
Most housing associations give you at least 4 weeks' notice.
Social rents and affordable rents
Councils and housing associations can charge either social rent or affordable rent.
Social rent is more common. It is less than you'd pay a private landlord.
Affordable rent can be up to 80% of what a private landlord normally charges.
It's more common in new build properties.
Join us in our campaign.
Last updated: 28 June 2026
