Rent Increases Best Time To Report Changes

Robbie64

Out of interest, when will the new Housing Costs take effect from? Is it the AP in which the change occurs or the following one? My AP is 21 March to 20 April and the change occured today (6 April).

Newcad

A Housing Cost change applies from the START of the AP in which the change happens.

Most C of C"s apply from the start of the AP in which they happen.

So depending on your AP dates you can 'win' a few weeks of the increase.

eg. If your AP started on the 10th March then you would be paid at April's increased rate from the 10th March even though you rent didn't go up until the first week in April.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81952161#Comment_81952161

@Newcad Yes I'll probably just have to confirm the current rent and update again in May that may help someone else. Stupid because it reads as they already know the new details but even stating next month. NOT ALLOWED but I bet if I confirm current rates they'll question it. Because they already have the details.

Newcad

As it says in red there "This date cannot be in the future" so all you can do is give the rent for the current date and then you have complied with the To Do.

TimeLord1

That's the to do deadline what happens if I wait until May ignoring it ? I'm just posting this to help people out, so they see how tacky the process can happen regardless if it isn't your fault.

Newcad

Not replying (complying with) to a To Do will cause a suspension of UC for a "Failure to Comply" with the requirements for claiming UC.

TimeLord1

So I just confirmed current rent and service charges with no change. Next month I will have to report a change, or maybe they'll message beforehand because they clearly know details have been updated by H/A.

Message received: you have updated your details we will check these against landlords details. You can't win for sure 😂

TimeLord1

So an increase was reported on Bank Holiday; funny, the actual process was actually longer. And "we may require further information and evidence this can affect your claim and claimant commitment. Remember to update inform council tax of these changes"

Maybe the annual to do is more basic? But that definitely had extended further options.

Diaz09

I'd report it the day the increase actually takes effect - not before as someone mentioned you can't report changes in advance anyway. Just make sure you're clear in your journal entry about the exact date the new rent amount started, as this affects which assessment period it impacts and when any housing element changes will kick in.