Your rent from April 2026 and what this means for Universal Credit

Updated on Latest News

From 6 April 2026, rent charges changed for all customers. 

All tenants were sent a letter in March 2026 confirming their new rent charges and explaining what this means. If you receive Universal Credit, there are a few extra steps you need to take, which are explained below. 

What’s changed? 

From 6 April 2026:

  • Your weekly rent amount changed 
  • Rent is now charged over 52 weeks instead of 48 weeks 

These changes apply to all customers. 

If you receive Universal Credit 

If you receive Universal Credit, it’s important to update your online Universal Credit journal so you continue to receive the correct payments. 

Keeping your journal up to date helps make sure you do not miss out on any money you’re entitled to. 

You have until the end of April to make these updates. 
If you do not update your journal, you could lose out on up to four weeks of Universal Credit payments. 

What you need to update 

From 6 April 2026, you’ll need to update:  

  • Your new weekly rent amount, using the figure shown in the letter sent in March 
  • Your rent frequency, changing it from 48 weeks to 52 weeks 

How to update your Universal Credit journal 

  1. Log in to your Universal Credit account 
    www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit 
  1. Select Report a change 
  1. Choose Where you live and what it costs 
  1. Select the green change button

Then you need to tell Universal Credit what has change.

  1. Choose something else, confirm your address and enter the date 06/04/2026
  1. New rent amount per week? 
    Enter: the weekly amount shown in your March letter 
  1. Do you have any rent‑free weeks? 
    Select: No 
  1. New service charge amount? 
    Enter: the amount shown in your rent letter 

Confirm your housing details.

  1. Select yes to housing costs
  1. Choose I rent from the council or a housing association
  1. Check your landlord details.

Confirm your tenancy details.

  1. Check the number of bedrooms is correct
  1. Confirm all people on your tenancy

Enter your charges and finish

  1. Enter your new rent amount and choose weekly
  1. Add any service charges if applicable
  1. Confirm Council Tax liability, review and submit.

Need help? 

If you have questions about your rent or need help updating your Universal Credit journal, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help. 

📞 0333 321 2200 (option 2) 
✉️ rents@starhousing.org.uk 

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