Council rent increased?

JonBristol_2

When I moved into my council flat I was on benefits so only paid a small fraction of the rent but the rent amount was £58 a week. When I came off of benefits and got a job the council said the rent is £85 a week. Does this sound like a usual thing that happens? Was my rent for some reason less when I was out of work, even though benefits paid for most of it anyway? I am currently looking at moving as even though £85 a week does not seem like much, I do not believe it should be that much.

boo2410

Rent normally increases annually, unless improvements are done mid way through the year, and even then you have to be given 28 days notice I think.

How long ago did you move into your property? If you have been there some time and were on benefits perhaps you did not take much notice of the increases?

McKneff

85 a week sounds pretty reasonable to me.


Have you looked at the private rental costs in the area.


I think you might be in for a shock if you are thinking of moving from Council property to private.

Pixie5740

Was the £58 you paid also topped up with Housing Benefit that the council paid to themselves to make your total rent £85 a week?

Since you have a secure tenancy with your council flat think long and hard before giving that up to go into a private rental.