Changes in water charges, rent, telecare and other charges from April 2021

Changes in rent, telecare and other charges from April 2021

If you are a council tenant, a tenant of Future NewHome, rent a garage or receive a telecare service from the Council, you will shortly receive a letter notifying you of the changes to your rent and other charges (if these apply to you) that will take effect from April this year. These changes were agreed by the Council as part of its annual budget, and in line with the Government’s policy on rent increases.

What’s changing?

Council tenants

  • Your weekly rent will increase by 1.5%.

  • If you pay other charges with your rent (such as service charges) the changes in these charges will be detailed in the letter you receive.

Please note that if you previously paid a water charge with your rent, from April you will no longer pay this charge to the Council, Thames Water will bill you directly. More information on this change is available on the Changes to the way Council Tenants pay their Water Charges page.

 Future NewHome tenants

  • Your weekly rent will increase by 1.5%.
  • If you receive a telecare service from the Council, the weekly charge for this service will increase by 2.5%.

If you have any queries or questions regarding your telecare charge please contact us on 020 3373 2811, or press your pendant to speak to a telecare officer.

Garage renters

  • Your weekly rent will increase by 1.5%.

Help and support with paying your rent for your home

If you have queries regarding the rent for your home, please call the rent collection team on 0203 373 6427. If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your rent, you may be eligible for assistance from Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

Universal Credit

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, and you receive help with your housing costs, it is your responsibility to update your claim by confirming the change in your rent. A ‘Confirm your Housing Costs’ link should appear on your Universal Credit ‘to-do’ list. Please use this link to confirm the change in your rent. If the ‘Confirm your Housing Costs’ link does not appear on your ‘to-do’ list, and has not appeared by the time your rent increase is due, please contact Universal Credit for assistance.

Housing Benefit

  • To apply for Housing Benefit go to www.newham.gov.uk/  click apply for it and select Housing Benefit from the list

Information and Advice, and Guidance 

Newham Money

If you are having money problems and would like some advice, you can contact Our Newham Money - the new name for MoneyWorks by