Council tenants' rent is split over the year to allow four 'rent-free' weeks. Monthly Direct Debit payments are calculated to take these weeks into account. Tenants who pay the equivalent of 4 weeks' rent every month must still make a payment during these weeks as the amount already includes the rent-free weeks. Tenants in arrears are expected to pay their usual amount, including any repayment agreement amount during these weeks.
Rent free weeks
2025/2026
Week commencing Monday 30 March 2026
2026/2027
Week commencing Monday 21 December 2026
Week commencing Monday 28 December 2026
Week commencing Monday 22 March 2027
Week commencing Monday 29 March 2027
Housing service charges
A service charge reflects the cost of additional services provided in connection with the tenancy and is in addition to the rent charged. It also covers services and amenities provided in connection with communal spaces that all tenants have access to in connection with their tenancy. The range of services provided depends upon the nature of each particular property. Tenants will only be charged for the services they receive. Tenants cannot opt out of any service provision or charge.
The council will set service charges based on estimated costs for the year, or actual costs where known with adjustments made to reflect actual costs.
Many of the charges are eligible for award as part of a Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit (UC) housing costs. If you claim UC, you will need to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of those service charges that are eligible when making a claim. The below table details which charges are eligible or not. Those that are not eligible will need to be paid directly by you.
| Charge Type | Charge Description | Housing Benefit Eligible? | Universal Credit Housing Costs Eligible? |
| Apartment Heating | Charge to pay for the heating and hot water in the individual apartment. | No | No |
| Closed Circuit Television | Charge to pay for the CCTV maintenance and monitoring within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Cleaning | Charge to pay for the cleaning of any shared communal areas within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Door Entry | Charge to pay for the maintenance and servicing of communal entrance doors and entry systems for the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Electricity Supply | Charge to pay for the electrical energy supply and consumption of communal equipment within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Furniture | Charge to pay for the repair and replacement of communal furniture within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Heating | Charge to pay for the heating and hot water in any shared communal area within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Laundry Facility | Charge to pay for the maintenance and replacement of communal laundry equipment within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal Redecoration | Charge to pay for the maintenance of decorative finishings in communal areas within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Communal TV Licence | Charge to pay for the audio/visual performance and television licensing in communal areas within the scheme/apartment block. | No | No |
| Communal Water | Charge to pay for the communal water consumption and surface water drainage charges within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Concierge Security | Charge to pay for the concierge/security service within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Enhanced Housing Management | Charge to pay for the staffing costs for the enhanced housing management function within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Estate and Environmental Maintenance | Charge to pay for the maintenance of Housing Revenue Account owned open land and estate amenities within the locality . | Yes | Yes |
| Ground Maintenance | Charge to pay for the gardening services provided to shared communal green spaces for the scheme/apartment block or individual property. | Yes | Yes |
| Lift | Charge to pay for the maintenance and servicing of lifts within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Office Costs | Charge to pay for the administration facilities within the scheme/apartment block. | Yes | Yes |
| Out of Hours Warden Call | Charge to pay for the management and maintenance of the out of hours communal warden call system. | Yes | Yes |
| Resident Activities | Charge to pay for activities that benefit health and wellbeing of residents within the scheme/apartment block. | No | No |
| TV Aerial | Charge to pay for the maintenance and servicing of communal television/aerial systems for your property | Yes | Yes |
| Window Cleaning | Charge to pay for the cleaning of windows for the scheme/apartment block (Does not include internal glazing for individual properties). | Yes | Only eligible for apartments not on the ground floor. |