From Monday 6 April 2026, rents at North Star will increase by 4.8%.
We know that any increase can feel worrying, especially when household costs are already high. Please know this decision was carefully considered by our Board and not taken lightly. We're a not-for-profit organisation, meaning that any profit is reinvested into homes, services and communities.
If you’re concerned about paying your rent, please let us know. Support is available and our priority is helping you stay in your home.
Why are rents increasing?
We need to make sure the income we get from rent can cover the cost of delivering our services, keeping homes well-maintained and building new homes.
Unfortunately, like many organisations, our costs go up each year. It now costs more to:
• carry out repairs
• replace kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems
• improve energy efficiency
• keep homes safe and compliant
• build new affordable homes
Housing associations must also follow government guidance, which allows rents to increase by inflation in September plus 1%. In September 2025, inflation was at 3.8%. This is why rents will increase by 4.8%.
Please know that the decision to increase rents is never taken lightly. We work hard to keep increases as low as possible and to get the best value for every pound we spend.
Where your rent goes
North Star is not-for-profit. Every pound of rent is reinvested into homes and services.
For every £1 of rent, we spend approximately:
- 34p – Maintaining and repairing existing homes
- 26p – Building new affordable homes
- 13p – Paying our staff who deliver services and support
- 9p – Mortgage interest on homes we’ve built or improved
- 10p – Long-term investment in our properties (depreciation)
- 7p – Delivering services to customers and neighbourhoods
- 1p – Other essential costs
This careful budgeting helps us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained today, while also investing in new homes and communities for the future.
It also helps us support our customer involvement activity, ensuring customers’ voices are heard and feedback is acted upon. Find out more: Your Voice
What do I need to do?
If you receive Housing Benefit
You don’t need to do anything. We will let the council know.
If you pay by Direct Debit
We’ll update this for you. Allpay will confirm the new amount.
If you pay by Standing Order
Contact your bank to update your payment.
If you pay by PayPoint card
Pay as usual but adjust your payments to cover the new rent amount.
If you receive Universal Credit
You'll receive a to-do in your online account in April. Click below to find out what you need to do.
I'm worried about the increase. What support is available?
Please get in touch as soon as possible if you are worried about paying your rent. The sooner we hear from you, the more we can help.
We can support you with:
- budgeting and payment plans
- checking you’re receiving the right benefits
- help with Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
- energy and cost of living advice
- referrals to free independent money advice
You can also contact the below services, or visit their websites for help and advice:
Updating your rent amount in your Universal Credit online account
In April, you will receive a to-do in your Universal Credit online account called 'Confirm your housing costs'.
Use the information in your rent letter to complete the to-do before the due date to avoid any problems with your payments.
You'll be asked: 'Did your housing costs change on 6 April 2026?' to which you can answer 'Yes'
You'll then be asked to confirm your rent changes.
And, finally, you'll be asked to confirm changes to service charges. These can be found in a letter sent to you in January, if applicable.
