Under the terms of your tenancy agreement, we are allowed to review your rent every twelve months. Arches manages over 1300 properties across Sheffield, Rotherham and North Derbyshire, and the money we receive in rent means we can continue to provide services like repairs and improvements to your homes and communities.
We conduct our rent reviews each year to take effect from the first Monday in April. This year, the new charges apply from Monday 1st April 2024.
Similar to other housing providers, the rent you pay Arches is determined and subsequently increased according to the terms of your tenancy agreement or lease agreement. The elements that make up the total rent are detailed in the agreement and comprise of a net rent and for some residents a service charge.
Your annual rent increase this year will be 7.7% from April 2024.
The rate of change applied to your service charge, if applicable, may be different and this will be due to adjustments made to reflect increases or decreases in items classed as service charges. This year, the new charges apply from Monday 1st April 2024.
Arches is a not for profit organisation, so the money we receive is spent on providing good quality, affordable housing for our residents. Our aim is to invest in people and communities, and a significant amount of this money is invested back into the areas in which you live.
A service charge is a payment to cover the costs of services and repairs beyond your rent. Not everyone will need to pay a service charge. If you need to pay a service charge, this will be made clear at the beginning of your tenancy or leasehold and in your contract. It will also state in your rent review notification what your new service charge is and the items covered by the charge.
The cost of the service charge is shared between everyone who benefits from the service. The service charge covers things like:
Repairs in communal areas
Gardening or grounds maintenance
Lift maintenance
Refuse maintenance
Cleaning communal areas, such as entryways and shared corridors
Health and safety, such as fire safety, electrical testing, or management of legionella
Yes, when there is a legal requirement or we make significant changes. We also hold scrutiny projects twice a year, often covering services paid for through a service charge. In the past 2 years we have had resident scrutiny of our communal cleaning and grounds maintenance services.
If you pay your rent by direct debit we will amend your direct debit from Monday 1st April 2024.
If you receive housing benefit and this is paid directly to us, we will notify the Council of the new charge. If you receive housing benefit and it is paid to you then you must notify the council of the rent increase by taking them the copy of your rent increase letter by 1st April 2024.
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit you will need to notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of the new charge by updating your journal, and Arches will then be invited to verify the rent increase.
If you pay a service charge and the service charge states ‘not eligible for housing benefit or HB’ you must continue to make these payments yourself.
With the increases to the cost of living, we understand that essential items such as food and gas and electric has been sharply rising. If you are struggling to pay your rent, we are here to help, and we ask that you please contact Arches as soon as possible. We may be able to signpost you for local support or assist you to access additional financial grants. There are no additional cost of living payments for 2024/2025. The final Cost-of-living payments for 2023/2024 will be £299 to be paid on 22nd February.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living- payment
We're here to support you in claiming any benefits to which you are entitled, maximising your income and paying your rent.
For more information on Financial Support please visit our Money Matters section.
We always want your feedback, whether it's positive or negative - it's how we learn and improve. You can contact us on 0114 2288100, email us at info@archeshousing.org.uk or check our website where we have more information on our feedback and complaints process Feedback and complaints | Arches Housing.
Arches Tenant Support and Wellbeing Service
A free, confidential service which can offer support with budgeting, debt advice and more.
Tel: 0330 094 8845
www.tsws-assist.co.uk
Username: arches
Password: tenantsupport
Citizens Advice Bureau
Advice Line: Sheffield: 0808 278 7820/ Rotherham: 0808 278 7911/ Chesterfield: 0808 250 5702
Universal Credit Help to Claim Line: 0800 144 8444
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Money Advice Service
Tel: 0800 138 7777
Whatsapp: +44 77 0134 2744
(send and receive messages only)
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Turn2us
Online form - www.turn2us.org.uk
Step Change
Tel: 0800 138 1111
www.stepchange.org
Sheffield City Council
Customer Services: 0114 273 4567
Discretionary Housing Payments and Council Tax Hardship: 0114 273 6983
www.sheffield.gov.uk
Rotherham Borough Council
Tel: 01709 807319
www.rotherham.gov.uk
Chesterfield Council
Tel: 01246 345 484 or 01246 345507
www.chesterfield.gov.uk
Universal Credit and other benefit claims
Universal credit: 0800 328 5644
Department of working pensions: 0800 917 2222
www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim
