We review our rent and service charges every year, to ensure we can continue providing support for our customers, carry out improvements to your home and estate, and build much needed new, affordable homes.
Any rent and service charge increase is linked to inflation and in line with government rent policies, which are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure as at the previous September. Increases, and the potential impact on customers, are always considered by our engaged customer groups, who provide feedback on this to the SNG Board.
Please see below for frequently asked questions about the annual rent and service charge review.
FAQs - annual rent and service charge review 2026
We use the income from your rent to provide services and to maintain and build affordable homes for our customers.
In recent years we’ve experienced considerable increases to our costs of providing these and, in some cases, rises substantially higher than inflation.
We want to continue to invest in providing the level and range of services that our customers want. All income raised through rent increases will be invested in services, as well as in modernising and improving existing homes and building much needed new ones.
The rent increases and potential impact on customers were considered by the Customer Influence Panel. They provided feedback on this to the SNG Board, who approved the rent increases in line with government guidance.
For shared owners, the rent increase level and date for the change are set out in your lease agreement. For many shared owners, this is based on the Retail Price Index figure as at the previous September (September 2025), plus an additional 0.5%. For rent increases in April 2026, this is 5%.
Please refer to your individual lease for details of your own rent increase method.
Most tenants’ rent increases are set in accordance with the government’s rent policies, which are based on the Consumer Price Index figure as at the previous September (September 2025), plus an additional 1%. This is an increase of 4.8% from April 2026.
For tenancies that aren’t included in government rent policies, the rent increase will also be 4.8%. However, if there is a clause within the tenancy which would make the increase a lower amount, this will be followed.
For key workers living in NHS accommodation, the rent increase is based on agreements with the relevant NHS Trust. The rent increase for these properties won’t take place until May 2026.
The charge increase for garage licences from April 2026 is 3.8%. This is the September 2025 Consumer Price Index figure.
If you have service charges, you’ll have received information about the estimated charges from April 2026 with your rent review letter.
Your service charges only cover the costs of providing the service, we don’t make any additional income from your service charge. We recharge the cost to all homes which receive the service, whatever their tenure type. Your share of the cost is calculated based on the terms set out in your tenancy agreement or lease.
We can offer support if you’re experiencing financial pressures, debt, or employment challenges. This includes welfare benefits advice and guidance with claims to help make sure you’re receiving the support you may be entitled to.
For more information:
- visit our support for you page
- read Our Services guide [pdf, 7.1MB] which was also sent to you along with your rent increase letter
- contact us using the details below
You may also find our Better Off Calculator useful. This tool can help you check whether you’re receiving all the benefits you may be entitled to, or if you could be entitled to additional benefits or lower tariffs.
As long as you’re meaningfully working with us to manage any arrears you have, we will always try to help you remain in your home.
The letter we sent you will specify the start date of your new charge. In most cases this will be 6 April 2026 - if you’re charged weekly, or 1 April 2026 - if you’re charged monthly. You should make sure any payments for your charges due from April are at the new amount.
We will calculate and automatically update your new payments to your new charges. You won’t need to take any action. Please note, PayPoint will notify you that the existing payment schedule will end and then send details of your new payment schedule a day or two after.
If you don’t hear from them or think the amount is incorrect, please get in touch.
As this is an agreement between you and your bank, you will need to advise them of the amount to increase this to, and the date that your new payment should start.
If your Housing Benefit is paid directly to us (as of January 2026), we will notify your local authority of your new charges. If you don’t receive confirmation from them of what your new entitlement will be from April, you should also get in touch directly to tell them of your new charges.
If your Housing Benefit is paid directly to you, or your claim has only recently started or only recently been paid directly to us, you will need to let your local authority know of your new charges.
Please keep your rent review letter safe – you’ll need it in April.
Wait until you receive a “to-do” on your online Universal Credit account, titled “Confirm your housing costs.” If you don’t receive this prompt and are nearing the end of your assessment period, you can report the change through the “Where you live and what it costs” section of your UC account.
If you don’t have an online account, call the Universal Credit helpline to report the changes.
It’s important not to report the change before the exact date your new charges start in April 2026, but it must be done before the end of your monthly assessment period - to make sure your housing costs are calculated correctly.
If you’re not sure what to do, please get in touch with us for advice.
South and West customers - Please call 0300 5000 926 and one of the team can set up your Direct Debit over the phone. Alternatively, just print off the form [docx, 159KB] , complete both pages in full, then take a picture and email it back to us at financerentandproperty@sng.org.uk or post it to the address on the form.
If you don’t have a printer, call us on 0300 5000 926 and we’ll send the form in the post.
London and East customers - Please call us on 0300 373 3000 and one of the team can set up your Direct Debit over the phone. Alternatively, send us an email customerservice@sng.org.uk.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we will take any additional payment arrangements into account and include them in your new payment amount.
If you pay by any other way and are unsure how much you should be paying, please get in contact with us.
Rent increases are applied in the same way to all our homes. We won’t carry out a review of your rent increase based on your own individual circumstances. However, if you believe an error has been made in how your new rent has been calculated, please let us know.
Some customers will have received a rent increase notice with their letter. This depends on the type of tenancy held and for how long. These customers can apply for their proposed rent to be reviewed by the First Tier Tribunal, against rents for properties let on the open market. Details on how to do this are on the back of the notice. If you would like to apply for a review, you must do so before the date your new rent starts.
South and West customers - Give us a call us on 0300 5000 926, email contact@sovereign.org.uk or complete our online form.
London and East customers - You can call us on 0300 373 3000, send us an email customerservice@sng.org.uk, or complete our online form.