Rent Increase 2026
Worried about making your rent payments? Talk to us.
Please don’t worry or struggle, you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and help.
Don’t wait, talk to us as soon as you start to experience money worries and have difficulty paying your rent.
Call 01283 528528 and talk to our Income team.
Rents to increase by 4.8% from 6th April 2026
This 4.8 per cent increase is in line with Government guidelines that enable social landlords to use the September 2025 inflation figure of 3.8 per cent plus 1 per cent to set the 2026/27 rent increase.
Service charges are paid by all customers who live in a property with shared facilities and receive additional services such as grass cutting and cleaning and lighting of communal areas.
Shared ownership customers will also see an increase based on the terms of their lease.
Why do we increase rent?
We review your rent and any additional charges you pay, every year in line with Government guidelines for social landlords on rent setting. The reviewed rent and charges will always start from the first Monday in April.
We'll write to all our customers (tenants, shared owners and leaseholders) at least four weeks before to set out how this affects you, explain the calculation and what support is available.
At the same time each year, we’ll also update this page with the new rent and service charge information and signpost to support.
Rent and other charges we collect, are used to pay for the essential services we provide for our customers, such as repairs, improvements to your home and grounds maintenance.
You can see how our income was spent in 2024/25 in our Customer Annual Report.
We understand that as the cost of living continues to rise, this has a direct impact on us all. Like our customers, Trent & Dove experiences these impacts first-hand with increased costs in materials, labour and the running of our services, which in some cases have increased by more than 20 per cent.
This is why we need to review your rent and service charges each year to ensure we’re able to continue to invest in your home and the services we provide.
In addition to the standard landlord service paid for by your rent and any service charges, where applicable, we provide a wide range of community services and support for all our customers to access for free.
We’re committed to this approach to ensure we deliver on our mission of Providing homes and services that enable people and communities to thrive .
Read our leaflet for details of the support and services we offer to enable you to do just that. Some of the information included may not apply to you, however, please read it through carefully to ensure you don’t miss out on anything that may help with or explain your rent increase further.
Frequently asked questions
How have you calculated the rent increase?
The rent increase of 4.8% is based on Government guidelines that enable social
landlords to use the September 2025 inflation figure of 3.8% plus 1% to set the
increase for 2026/27.
If you are a shared owner, your rent increase has been calculated according
to the terms of your lease. Talk to our Income team on 01283 528528 for
further advice.
How much will the rent increase be?
The increase is 4.8% if you’re a tenant. For shared owners the increase is in line with your lease. If your rent includes service charges these will also be outlined in your notice. If you rent a garage or parking space from us, we will write to you separately with the new payment amount.
When does the new rent year start and end?
If you rent one of our homes, rent will be payable from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. If you are a shared owner, your new rent is payable as per the date stated in your lease.
When are the rent-free weeks?
Between April 2026 — April 2027, there are four rent-free weeks.
Week commencing:
- 22/12/2025
- 29/12/2025
- 23/03/2026
- 30/03/2026
I pay a service charge. Will that also increase?
We review service charges every year and do everything we can to make sure the service cost is good value for money.
Unfortunately, we are seeing costs rise but where we have been able to make savings, these reductions have been passed onto our customers.
I’m worried that I cannot afford this, can you help?
Please don’t worry or struggle, you’re not alone.
We’re here to listen and help. Don’t wait. Contact us straight away to find out how we can help. Call 01283 528528 and speak to our Income team.
Where can I get money advice for the rent increase?
We’re here to support you. If you’re struggling to manage your home or financially, our Tenancy Sustainment team might be able to help you. They can support with budgeting, benefit applications and applying for grants. Support is tailored to individual circumstances.
Call us on 01283 528 528 and ask to speak to your Income or Housing Officer for a referral to the Tenancy Sustainment team.
Why is my rent more than my neighbour’s?
Rents can differ depending on when tenancies are signed and different grant funding arrangements for new homes. However, please be assured that each rent account is adjusted in line with Government guidelines and our rent setting policy.
We’re unable to discuss or comment on other customers’ accounts in line with our data protection policy, which covers general data protection regulation (GDPR) and privacy rights.
I claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, do I need to do anything?
Universal Credit
If you claim Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a task to ‘Confirm your housing cost’. You must complete this ‘to-do’ to report your annual rent changes. If you pay monthly, you will be asked if your
housing cost changed on 1st April 2026.
Three important steps to follow if you receive Universal Credit
1. Keep your rent letter somewhere safe. You can take a picture on your phone in case the letter becomes lost.
2. Wait until you receive a to-do in April called ‘Confirm your housing cost’.
3. Use the information in this letter to complete the to-do and report the changes. You do not need to contact Universal Credit to report the changes any other way.
Housing Benefit
If you receive Housing Benefit, your claim will automatically be re-calculated from April 2024, based on your new rent amount. You do not need to contact your local council’s Housing Benefit section regarding this letter. We will notify them for you.
If you do not receive Housing Benefit and think you may qualify, please contact your local council directly. In most cases, online is the quickest way to apply.
East Staffordshire Borough Council: 01283 508422 or www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
South Derbyshire District Council: 01283 595795 or www.southderbyshire.gov.uk
North West Leicestershire District Council: 01530 454545 or www.nwleics.gov.uk
North Warwickshire Borough Council: 01827 715341 or www.northwarks.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council: 01543 308000 or www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
What happens if I pay by standing order?
You’ll need to update your standing order in time for your first payment in April 2026. Please speak to your bank if you are unsure how to do this.
Do I have to change my direct debit mandate with my bank?
We’ll automatically update your direct debit with the new rent amount, including any changes needed due to ‘rent free’ weeks.
I am a shared owner who do I need to speak to?
Please contact our Income team on 01283 528528.
How can I get involved and help shape services?
Our Customer Voice Strategy offers customers a range of ways to get involved and shape the services we provide.
We also have a number of volunteering opportunities with an average of 4,000 hours a year gifted by volunteers.
We provide full training and employment support to everyone who volunteers with us.