Calculating your rent

How are social housing rents calculated?

The government requires all local authorities and housing associations to calculate the rent for each of their properties according to a set formula. This formula takes into account:

  • the market value of the individual property in January 1999 compared to the national average property value
  • the number of bedrooms in the property
  • average earnings of manual workers in the county
    compared to national average earnings

This rent is referred to as the formula rent  The formula rent will be adjusted every year by an amount set by the government.

Maximum weekly formula rents for 2010 have been set as follows:

  • Bedsits and one bedroom dwellings £113.31
  • 2 bedroom dwellings £119.98
  • 3 bedroom dwellings £126.65
  • 4 bedroom dwellings £133.31
  • 5 bedroom dwellings £139.97
  • 6 bedroom dwellings £146.65

Rent levels exclude service charges, Council Tax, water charges and rent for garages.

Housing Benefit entitlement will be adjusted to cover any increase or decrease in rent provided the tenant's circumstances do not change.

For further information, please contact the Housing Benefit team


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