Important information about your rent during a 53 week rent year

Every five or six years, there is a 53-week rent year, rather than a 52-week rent year.  There will be 53 Mondays in the 2024/25 financial year (1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025), with the last Monday on 31 March 2025.

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit

  • The Department for Works and Pension (DWP) that manages Universal Credit does not recognise a 53-week rent year. It will calculate your rent monthly based on a 52-week year.

  • In a 53 week financial year this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.

For example:

Your weekly rent is £150.00 per week and Universal Credit pays you as the claimant or pays the rent monthly direct.

In a 52 week rent year they will pay as follows:

  • £150.00 x 52, divided by 12 months = £650.00 per month

During a 53 week year, DWP will calculate as follows:

  • £150.00 x 52, divided by 12 months/ 12 = £650.00 per month 

However, the rent that is due from you as the tenant will be: 

  • £150.00 x 53, divided by 12 months = £662.50 per month

There will be a shortfall of £12.50 per month from Universal Credit, which you are liable to pay.  

You will need to use the same calculation if you have to make up any shortfall in your UC claim or you have an agreement. Whereby they are paying an arrears arrangement direct on your behalf (APA).

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit 

If your rent is paid by Housing Benefit  then you will not be impacted by this as the charge will be covered as this benefit is paid weekly.

If you pay your rent every four weeks. You will need to multiply your weekly rent by 53 then divide it over 12 payments to ensure you are paying the correct amount.

If you are concerned about making payments, or have any concerns relating to your rent account, please contact your Housing Manager via 0208 915 2000.