Affordable rent
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to explain which groups of customers this could apply to in case people have clicked this one by mistake.
How is affordable rent reviewed?
Rental charges are based on government guidelines. These vary for each type of rental product. The type of rent you pay is detailed in your review letter, which was posted to you mid-February.
Affordable Rent is charged weekly or monthly.
If you’ve had the same weekly tenancy for more than one year, we’ll leave at least 52 weeks between rent reviews.
If you’re within the first year of your tenancy, your initial rent review will be in April. All following reviews will be at intervals of 52 weeks or more.
Affordable Rent is set a maximum of 80% market rent, or the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), whichever is lower.
LHA is used to work out Housing Benefit and Universal Credit for tenants who rent from a landlord.
LHA rates are set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) at the start of each financial year. The rate is based on the number of bedrooms you and your household need, and the rent charged for similar-sized properties in the area.
The reason we cap our rents at the LHA is so that if you receive Housing Benefits and Universal Credit, your full rent could be covered.
How is affordable rent calculated?
The government uses a set formula for social housing rents each year, which is called the Rent Standard.
The rent is set by using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous September plus 1%. The CPI is a specific measurement of inflation. In September 2024 this was 6.7%.
By using the Government formula, the rent increase from April 2025 is 1.7% plus 1%, which is a total of 2.7%.
Ways to pay
There are lots of ways to pay your rent and service charge, so that making any payment to bpha can be as convenient and flexible for you as possible.
A frequently asked question to our Customer Communications Centre, is what the options are to pay rent or service charges, click the button below for a quick guide.
Can I get help with my housing costs?
If you are on a low income, you could be entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to help pay your rent.
If you are of pensionable age or living in supported housing, then you could qualify for assistance from your local authority with some Housing Benefit.
If you are of working age you may be entitled to claim some Universal Credit to assist with your rent.
How much you receive will depend on your circumstances and current income.
You can apply for Housing Benefit/Universal Credit whether you are working or unemployed.
If your benefits are paid directly to you, you are responsible for paying your rent to us.
If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit is cut, it is your responsibility to cover any shortfall. Please be aware that you are in danger of losing your home if your account is in arrears.
If you need any information about benefits, or help applying, please contact our Money Advice Team who will be able to help.
Are you worried about paying?
Do you have more questions?
This will link to the main rent page FAQs
