Rent and service charges are calculated according to the type of home you live in and the services you receive.
We review rent and service charges every year and we will give you 28 days' notice of any changes to your rent and service charges.
How we set your rent
The rent you pay is set according to a national formula and is calculated, based on the number of bedrooms in your home and the valuation of your property (as at 1999 values).
Rent increase for 2026/27
Your rent increase is 4.8%
This rent increase is based on the Consumer Price Index figure, as of September the previous year, plus 1%. (CPI+1).
The CPI is published by the Office for National Statistics and measures the average change from month to month in the prices of goods and services purchased by consumers in the UK.
This gives an understanding of what things cost at a point in time.
Your rent increase starts from Monday 6 April 2026.
Where your rent goes
Your rent is used to carry out regular maintenance work, make improvements to homes, fund the services you receive, and build new council homes.
Over the next year (2026/2027) we'll be investing:
- £44 million on repairs and maintenance work
- £113 million on improvements to existing homes
- £13 million on services such as grounds maintenance
- £60 million on new homes
Service charges
You may have to pay service charges if you have communal facilities or some specific services. This might include lift maintenance charges or upkeep of communal areas.
Some charges are based on the size of your property or level of service that you receive.
If you would like more information on service charges contact using the online rents enquiry form.
Service charges increase 2026/27
CPI in September 2025 was 3.8%, so the service charges will go up by 4.8% in total.
Your service charge increase starts on Monday 6 April 2026. The same time as the changes to rent.
Some tenants will have a new service charge on their bill this year 2026/27. This is because we have identified that some tenants were not being charged for services that they receive such as communal heating and lift servicing.
We have given 28 days' notice in writing to all tenants who are affected.
Personal heating and hot water
If you pay a charge for personal hot water and heating this will increase by 4.8%.
What you need to do
Housing Benefit
If you get Housing Benefit your weekly rent will include the increases automatically. You do not need to contact us.
However, if your income or circumstances have changed then you will need to let us know:
- call 0117 922 2300
- use our change of address or circumstances form
Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit, you will receive a notification on your online journal providing your new rent figure.
You need to confirm this in your journal otherwise there will be a shortfall in your payment.
For more information, sign in to you Universal Credit account or call 0800 328 5644.
Direct Debit
If you pay by Direct Debit, we will change your Direct Debit and you will be notified of any changes in line with the Direct Debit guarantee.
Standing Order
If you pay by standing order, you will need to change your Standing Order with your bank to cover the new rent and service charges if they are applicable.
If you're struggling to pay your bills
If you're having problems paying your rent call us on 0117 922 2200 and we'll do all we can to help.
Our phone lines are open 8:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Except Wednesday, when the phone lines close between midday and 1:30pm.
If you're in rent arrears, we can help and advise you and put you in touch with other organisations that can offer specialist help and support if needed.
To find out more about support available to you visit our cost of living support page.
You can also get advice and guidance around budgeting and managing debts from:
Citizens Advice Bureau
Website: www.bristolcab.org.uk
Phone: 0808 278 7957
Textphone: 0800 144 8884
National Debtline
Free independent advice for people in financial difficulties.
Website: www.nationaldebtline.org
Phone: 0808 808 4000
Age UK Advice Line
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
Phone: 0800 055 6112
North Bristol Advice Service
Website: www.northbristoladvice.org.uk
Phone: 0117 951 5751, phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm
Reception opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 2pm
Talking Money
Website: www.talkingmoney.org.uk
Phone: 0800 121 4511
Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service
Website: Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service
Phone: 0117 352 1888, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am to 1pm.
Rent setting policy
The pdf rent setting policy(268 KB) explains how we set rents in accordance with the Government's Rent Standard.