Good news - rent decreases for all STH tenants

You may have heard an announcement earlier this year about the Government's plans to reduce average rent increases for all council tenants. This decision was taken in light of a decline in inflation and the recession facing the country.

Whilst the announcement was great news, it came too late to change your rent in time for the first payment dates. Bury Council had already made a decision regarding the rent increases for 2009/10 and we had sent you a letter telling you what your new rent would be.

The Council has now agreed the new rent increase following guidance from central government. This means that the average rent increase of 6.00% will be reduced to 3.04%. This reduction will be backdated to the 6th April 2009.

This decrease only applies to housing rents. Charges for garage rent, amenity, heating, furniture or support charges will remain the same.

You will receive a letter this week (w/c 22nd June 2009) advising you of your new rent. Your new rent will come into force four weeks later on the 27th July 2009.

If you currently pay your rent every week and are not in arrears you can either reduce your next weekly payment (after the 27.7.09) or request a rent refund from us.

Rent statements will be posted out to all our tenants at the end of July showing their current balance.

If you receive Housing Benefit

If you currently receive Housing benefit, this will be updated automatically. The Council's Housing Benefit team will write to you shortly letting you know your new entitlement. You do not need to do anything.

If you pay by Direct Debit or Standing Order

If you currently pay by Direct Debit, we will automatically adjusted your payments and will write to you 14 days in advance to let you know of any changes.

If you pay by standing order, we will automatically recalculate your payments and send you details so that you can contact your banks to change your payments.