Rent and service
charge payments
Everything you need to
know about paying your rent
and service charges.
Rent increase FAQs
This year, rent is increasing by 7% for customers from April 2023 to generate the amount of revenue required to provide new homes and maintain our existing homes and services, all of which are funded by rents.
For most customers, this is a rise of between £7 to £8 per week, or £400 a year.
If you are unsure about what this means for you, we've put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand.
Rent should be paid one week before it is due.
Paying your rent must be given top priority when budgeting, to prevent any arrears building up on your account. If at any time you experience financial difficulties, please contact us for advice and support.
Find out more about rent
What is my rent money used for?
As a not-for-profit business, all our income goes back into our homes and services, helping us to improve our homes and build new ones. As rent makes up the majority of our income, it's a really important way for us to fund improvements to your home.
How is my rent calculated?
Your rent is calculated using rules set by the housing regulator. There are social and affordable rents and affordable rents are usually set at 80% of the rent that would be charged in the private sector.
How can I see my rent statements?
You can access all your previous rent statement on My Silva. Simply log in and click on 'My Accounts'.
If you don't use My Silva, you will receive a rent statement in the post or by email. To find out how to read these documents, click the button below.
View an example rent statement.
What if I can't pay my rent?
Paying your rent should be given top priority when budgeting, to prevent any arrears from building up on your account. If at any time you experience financial difficulties, please contact us for advice and support.
What happens if I don't pay my rent on time?
If your account falls into more than four weeks’ arrears without an arrangement, Silva Homes will start legal proceedings. This could result in a County Court Order for possession of the property and you may lose your home.
Remember that once this is granted, Silva Homes could apply for your eviction if you do not stick to the terms of the Court Order.
Are there any rent-paid weeks this year?
Yes. The next rent-paid week is the week commencing 25 December 2023.
You don't need to pay rent during the rent-paid week if your rent account is fully paid to date. However, if you are behind on your payments, or if you have an arrears arrangement in place, then you should still pay your rent as usual.
If you pay via direct debit, then your rent balance will automatically be adjusted during the rent-paid weeks.
What other costs do I need to pay?
Depending on the type and location of your home, you might need to pay service charges. This could include your heating, lighting, cooking and hot water, which are all paid for in addition to your rent.
If your building has a communal gas and electrical supply, this is shared by everyone who lives in the building and the cost will be added to your rent. If this is the case, then you won't receive an additional gas or electricity bill.
You are informed of any charges that you are liable for when you sign your tenancy agreement.
Read our guide to the monthly costs of living in your home.
Service charge information for tenants
A service charge is an amount payable to Silva for the cost of services provided to your home that are not included in your rent. These could include the cost of communal electricity, landscaping and grounds maintenance and repairs to your block. The terms of your tenancy agreement will outline what service charges you pay for.
If you live in an independent living scheme you pay service charges for the cost of communal heating and hot water along with the cost of managing your scheme and out of hours callout provision.
We charge what are known as variable service charges. That means the amount of the service charge will vary each year, depending on the cost of providing the services.
We estimate the costs at the beginning of the rent year in April based on the actual cost of providing the service the previous year. Any difference in the estimated and actual cost will be added or deducted from the next year's estimates.
Will my rent be reduced because of coronavirus?
We are closely following the government’s advice so we will not be reducing our rent. However, we are continually reassessing our approach towards coronavirus as the government’s advice changes.
Find out why we can't offer rent holidays
Housing Benefit and coronavirus
Housing Benefit has updated its services, to help those affected by coronavirus. Their phone lines are now open for longer - from 9am until 5pm (previously 10am until 2pm).
You can complete these forms on the housing benefit website:
- Housing Benefit
- Council tax deductions
- Change of Circumstance
- Change of Address
For all other requests, please call Housing Benefit and they will help you over the phone.
We can help you to fill in a Discretionary Housing Payment application form over the phone. Housing Benefit will contact you to verify the information, so please ensure that you tell us your accurate email and telephone number.