Don’t forget to plan ahead for the 53-week year rent payment

If you pay by direct debit you don’t need to do anything; we changed the payments for you to account for the 53-weeks at the start of the year. 

If you pay your rent by standing order or other means, you will need to adjust this yourself by getting in touch with your bank or changing your payments. 

To calculate the amount that you need to pay, look at how much rent you are charged each week and use the following calculation. 

So, for example, if your rent was £100 per week: 

• You would first work out the amount you would pay in a 52-week* year: £100 x 52 ÷ 12 = £433.34 

• You would then work out how much you would pay in a 53-week year:  £100 x 53 ÷ 12 = £441.67  

• You would then take the larger amount and minus the smaller amount: £441.67 – £433.34 = £8.33 

In this example, the customer needs to pay an additional £8.33 per month from April 2024 to March 2025 or make an additional one-time payment of £99.96 before the 30th March 2025 to avoid falling into debt. 

*Please note, if you have non-charging weeks, you will need to use the usual number of weekly charges you have each year, instead of the 52. 

When calculating Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) base your housing costs on a 52-week year. This is the case even when there is an extra week in the year.  

The DWP does not change the way it calculates Universal Credit payments on a 53-week year, which means that your monthly payments will not cover the monthly rent in 2024/25.  

To calculate the amount that you need to pay, look at how much rent you are charged each week and use the following calculation. 

So, for example, if your rent was £100 per week: 

• You would first work out the amount Universal Credit will pay: £100 x 52* ÷ 12 = £433.34 

• You would then work out how much your rent is in a 53-week year:  £100 x 53 ÷ 12 = £441.67  

• You would then take the larger amount and minus the smaller amount: £441.67 – £433.34 = £8.33 

In this example, the customer would need to pay the £8.33 that is not covered by Universal Credit before the 30th March 2025 to avoid falling into debt. 

*Please note, if you have non-charging weeks, you will need to use the usual number of weekly charges you have each year, instead of the 52. 

To find out how much you’ll need to pay, please check the letter we sent to you in February this year and use the calculations above. If you no longer have this, you can find it on the My Onward Portal or contact us to request a copy.    

If you didn’t increase your payments in April this year, you will need to pay more to ensure you are not in rent arrears. You can spread this out by increasing your weekly/monthly payment, or make an additional one-time payment before the 30th March 2025 to avoid falling into debt. 

Once you know how much you’ll need to pay, you can make a payment: 

• online through the My Onward Portal  

• by phoning 0300 555 0600 and selecting option 1 – you’ll need your account number, bank details and a credit or debit card 

• with your payment card at your local Post Office or any retail outlet that accepts Allpay – please keep your receipt as proof of payment  

• by bank transfer using the following details 
  • Name: Onward Homes
  • Sort code: 01-02-69
  • Account number: 25724452
  • Reference: your tenancy number