We sent you a letter in early March stating the new rent that you need to pay from Monday 7th April 2025. If you pay service charges the letter also has details of what you will need to pay from that date. You can find out more about the rent and service charge changes here.
If you claim Universal Credit, you also need to make sure you report your new rent to the Department of Work and Pensions through your online Universal Credit account. You need to do that, and report any changes to service charges you pay, on Monday 7th April or as soon as possible after that date – no later than the end of your Monthly Assessment Period.
Even if your Universal Credit is paid directly to Southway, you still need to report the increase. Once you've done this, the Department of Work and Pensions will adjust the housing costs of your Universal Credit. If you don't, you may lose out on money you are entitled to.
On Monday 7th April, you can report your increase quickly and easily by following the steps below (you can also see the wording below the image):
1. Sign in to your Universal Credit account.
2. Click on ‘To-do list’ then click ‘Housing’.
3. When it asks ‘Did your housing costs change on 7th April 2025’, select yes.
4. When it asks, ‘Are you still charged weekly for your rent’, select ‘Yes’. Add your rent charge.
5. When it asks, ‘Are you still charged weekly for your service charges, select ‘Yes’ if you pay them. Then add your new eligible service charges
6. When it asks how many rent free weeks ‘select 2’. Please check your rent letter or tenancy agreement to see if you qualify for rent free weeks.
If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to email us back on incomecollections@southwayhousing.co.uk or call us on 0161 448 4200.