53 weeks – paying your rent in 2024-25
There are normally 52 weeks in a year, and we charge customers on a weekly basis to cover this period. Rent weeks always start on a Monday.
But every five or six years, the days of the week fall so there are 53 Mondays - and therefore 53 ‘rent weeks’ - in a year. The next time this will happen is the financial year from Monday 1 April 2024 to Sunday 6 April 2025.
What does the 53 week financial year mean for me?
There will be an extra week of rent to pay if you are on a weekly tenancy agreement or licence.
Calculating your extra payment depends on any benefits you receive, how you pay your rent and how often you make payments.
To make it easier to work out what the 53 week year means for you, go to the section below that describes how your rent is paid, click to answer the brief questions in the form and receive instant personalised guidance on what to do next.
How is your rent paid?
What can I do if I'm not happy Universal Credit aren't covering the 53rd week?
Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do as you will still be liable as the tenant to pay the extra week of rent Universal Credit won’t cover.
If you don’t pay, you’ll end up in arrears. However, we would encourage you to write to your local MP, in the hopes the Department for Work and Pensions will cover the extra week the next time we have a 53 week financial year.
As your Housing Benefit pays your rent in full, you will not be impacted by the 53 week year between Monday 1 April 2024 and Sunday 6 April 2025.
Housing Benefit will pay for every week that your rent is charged. (If you stop receiving Housing Benefit during the year, please contact the Customer Accounts team for more advice by calling 0300 5000 926 between 8am and 4.30pm weekdays.)
What can I do if I'm not happy Universal Credit aren't covering the 53rd week?
Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do as you will still be liable as the tenant to pay the extra week of rent Universal Credit won’t cover.
If you don’t pay, you’ll end up in arrears. However, we would encourage you to write to your local MP, in the hopes the Department for Work and Pensions will cover the extra week the next time we have a 53 week financial year.
If you are concerned about the 53 week year and your finances, or you have any questions, you can speak to one of our Customer Accounts team by calling 0300 5000 926 between 8am and 4.30pm weekdays, or email contact@sovereign.org.uk.