Each year, the Council sets new rent and service charges you will pay.
General needs - How is my rent calculated?
Harrow Council's housing rents are calculated in accordance with government guidance whereby local authorities use the same standard formula to work out the rents. The formula is based partly on the number of bedrooms and market value of your property and partly on the level of local earnings, so every rent is different.
The government limits annual rent increases to the consumer price index (CPI) at the preceding September plus 1%. However, for the financial year 2023/24, the government has capped the increase in your rent to no more than 7% for general needs tenants. Individual council rents will increase by no more than 7%. Changes to other charges are based on the amount of money spent on those services.
The Council is aware that for many tenants, this year is possibly even more difficult with high inflation and the cost of living that is placing huge stress on household finances - notably around energy costs and the price of food.
However, without a rent increase in April 2023, it will be impossible for the Council to continue to deliver the current level of service including its capital programme.
Service Charges
We have now applied simple and fairer apportionment of charges; we levy charges that are fair, equitable and represent good value for money. Most communal service charges are covered by benefits.
Up until now the Council has applied an uplift for service charges based on a Consumer price index increase yearly. This approach has become challenging for most organisations in recent years as costs have risen above the rate of CPI (inflation) and we are now able to break down costs in a more transparent way per block and per estate. Because of this, there is an uplift in service charge costs for 2023/24 and these will vary depending on the services provided per estate. These costs currently include communal lighting, cleaning of communal areas, grounds maintenance and caretaking. From next year, we will include an element of charge for providing pest control and pruning of trees as part of the rolling programme.
Non-Secure Service Charges
This charge is applicable if you have a non-secure tenancy and normally includes the provisions of the items provided in the property, such as a cooker, carpets or curtains. The non-secure service charge is eligible for Housing Benefit.
Water Charges
Most tenants will receive a separate water bill from their water company.
Sheltered tenants - How are my rent and service charges calculated?
Rent will increase in line with inflation +1% which is a total of 11.1%. There are higher costs associated with the provision of sheltered accommodation and there are significant additional support needs.
Facilities Charge
The Council provides heating and hot water in sheltered accommodation to the individual flats as well as access to Careline support and laundry facilities. A facilities charge is payable where these services are provided. The facilities charge is not eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
Service Charges
We have now applied simple and fairer apportionment of charges; we levy charges that are fair, equitable and represent good value for money. Most communal service charges are covered by benefits.
Up until now the Council has applied an uplift for service charges based on a Consumer price index increase yearly. This approach has become challenging for most organisations in recent years as costs have risen above the rate of CPI (inflation) and we are now able to break down costs in a more transparent way per block and per estate. Because of this, there is an uplift in service charge costs for 2023/24 and these will vary depending on the services provided per scheme. These costs currently include communal lighting, cleaning of communal areas and grounds maintenance. From next year, we will include an element of charge for providing pest control and pruning of trees as part of the rolling programme.
Enhanced Management Service Charge
This includes additional support provided at the sheltered scheme by the staff. This charge is eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
What is the rental income used for?
When you pay your rent, the money is put into the Council's Housing Revenue Account. This money pays for the housing services you receive. It also covers things like the Council’s borrowing costs for major repairs to council homes. Rent money is ring-fenced and can only be used for services provided to residents in council homes and leaseholders. Therefore, it cannot be used to subsidise council tax.
Description of service charges
- Grounds maintenance: the cutting of grass, pruning of bushes and trees, general gardening, weeding of communal areas around estates and block and maintenance of play equipment in estates.
- Caretaking: this is for dedicated estates services operatives to sweep and clean common areas in your block and your estate and carry out safety checks. They are also responsible for litter picking and removal of fly tipping on housing land. These services are not covered by council tax.
- Light and power (communal lighting): electricity for communal lights and charges for the maintenance and repair of lights in common areas of blocks and estates.
- Estates road maintenance: charges for the inspection, repair and maintenance of roads within estates and footpaths around blocks.
- Sheltered housing service: charges for mobile cleaning service for sheltered schemes. This includes staff costs and the cost of cleaning materials.
- Tree pruning: compiled a database of all the trees in the borough, which identified the types and condition of trees, including responsibility for maintenance. Currently undertaking a cyclical programme of tree pruning on estates throughout the borough, which is split into phases.
- Pest control: as and when needed
How do I get more information on how rents are calculated?
If you have any questions about your rent, take a look at the Housing and Property webpages to see if your query can be answered quickly.
Should you need further assistance, please contact our Resident Services team via Customer Services on 020 8901 2630 or email the team at housing.residentservices@harrow.gov.uk
When you contact us by telephone we will ask you some questions to verify your identity. This is because we cannot discuss information regarding tenancies with anyone other than with the tenant.
What do I need to do?
You don’t need to do anything just yet.
You will receive a further ‘amount to pay’ letter at the end of March. The ‘amount to pay’ letter will list all your charges including housing benefits, and it will show you exactly how much your weekly or monthly payment will be. If you have made an arrangement with the Council to settle arrears, this will be unaffected and you must continue to make the agreed additional payments.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we will confirm in writing to you how much will be collected from your bank each month, including any agreed arrangements.
If you currently pay by standing order you will need to change the amount of your payment for April which you will be able to complete once you have your new weekly rent.
Will housing benefit or universal credit cover increases in rent and charges?
Rent and service charge increases may not necessarily be covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. This will depend on your personal circumstances and your earnings.
Housing Benefit is calculated based on how many bedrooms you need rather than how many bedrooms you actually have in your council home. This means that if you are under-occupying your home, or, put simply, if you have bedrooms that the Government thinks you don't need, your Housing Benefit (or Universal Credit) will be reduced.
Visit the Council's Housing Benefits web page for further information and advice at including applying for Housing Benefit.
When you apply for Housing Benefit, you will need to tell the Council and provide proof about your income, your savings, your rent and the income of other people who live with you. If your household situation changes, this will affect your Housing Benefit. You must inform the Council’s Benefits Service as soon as possible if your circumstances change or you may get less than you should.
If you are on a low income or out of work, you may be entitled to Universal Credit for help with your living costs and rent. Go to www.gov.uk/universal-credit
If you receive Universal Credit it is your responsibility to report this rent and service charges change directly to the Department for Work and Pensions. You should receive a “To Do” through your Universal Credit journal.
When will the new rent and service charges start?
New rents start on the first Monday in April every year. For 2023/24 it starts on 3 April 2023.
I think my rent is too high at the moment, what can I do about it?
The Council has followed the government’s rent policy to calculate what your rent should be. Therefore, we cannot change the rent for individual properties. If you have concerns about the affordability of your rent, you should speak with our Resident Services Team: call 020 8901 2630 or email the team at housing.residentservices@harrow.gov.uk
Can I see my statement on My Harrow Account?
The Housing Portal is currently offline and so you are unable to view your rent balance at this time. If you need to check your rent balance, you can complete a rent enquiry form and a member of the housing team will aim to respond within 24 hours.
We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience. We are working on the new housing account and plan to launch it later this year. In the meantime, we have made significant improvements to the housing pages of the website where you can find key information for rent queries, repairs, estates issues and much more.
Support available
Housing has arranged several drop-in sessions for you, come in person and talk to your Housing Officer. Details are below:
Grange Farm Community Hall, Grange Farm Close Harrow HA2 0QF
Date and times:
13 March 23 4pm to 7pm
30 March 23 11am to 2pm
Julie Cook Hall, Augustine Road Harrow HA3 5NW
Date and times:
15 March 23 11am to 2pm
27 March 23 4pm to 7pm
The Council’s Cost of Living pages list many useful tips about making your money stretch further and ensuring you are aware of all the support on offer.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is launching a new round of support for low income families in 2023/24 where you might be eligible for £900 from the Government to help with the cost of living. If you are eligible, these payments will be paid direct to your bank account in three payments over the financial year. In addition, there will be a separate £150 for disabled people and £300 for pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel Payments.