The 53-week year – how this affects you and your rent

This year is known as a 53-week rent year, which means your rent will be charged 53 times instead of 52. This page sets out why this is and what you need to know.

The 53-week rent year

There are 365 days in a year. This is equivalent to 52 whole weeks and one day (or two days in a leap year). Over time, these extra days build up and add an extra week to the rent year. This happens every five or six years as a result of how the calendar falls, so it affects tenants across the country.

In this financial year, which runs from 1 April 2024 to Sunday 6 April 2025 for your rent account, there will be 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. The last Monday will be on 31 March 2025.

This is known as a 53-week rent year – and it means there is an extra week of rent to pay within the year. For customers eligible for the two rent-free weeks, this will mean that there are 51 weeks instead of 50.

How this affects housing rents

Housing rent is charged weekly, starting on a Monday. So, when there are 53 Mondays in a year, there is an extra week of rent to pay.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it won’t pay any extra Universal Credit to cover this. This means that if you receive Universal Credit you will need to pay a little extra each week to ensure your rent is covered and you don’t fall into arrears.

If you aren’t sure what you need to do, check out our FAQs below for more information. If you have any questions or would like more support, please contact us.

Why does this happen?

Although you normally pay rent for 52 weeks a year, the year is actually made up of 52 weeks and one day (or two days in a leap year). This means that every five or six years all those extra days accumulate to add an extra week to the year.

The 53-week rent year happens because of how the calendar falls – it is not a decision made by Watford Community Housing and it applies to tenants across the country.

Who does it affect?

If you receive Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will NOT cover the extra week of rent – you will need to pay it.

If you are on Housing Benefits (HB, legacy benefits) you will not be impacted by this. HB is paid weekly by the council for you, and they will cover this as they pay every week that is charged – so you do not need to do anything.

What do I need to do if I am on Universal Credit?

Unfortunately, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not cover the extra week of rent. This means you will need to pay for the additional week yourself by increasing your payments using the calculation: Weekly rent amount x 53 weeks divided by 12 = monthly rent payment

You can explore our range of ways to pay on our website here

What do I need to do if I pay by Direct Debit?

If you pay by direct debit, you do not need to do anything – we will adjust your direct debit payments to account for this.

What do I need to do if I make regular payments manually or by standing order?

If you pay your rent yourself weekly, fortnightly or every four weeks, continue to work out your payments as you normally do.

If you pay your rent monthly, either by standing order or manually – such as over the phone or using a rent payment card – you need to make an adjustment to your monthly payments. You need to multiply your weekly rent by 51 or 53 weeks (depending on whether your tenancy has any rent-free weeks), instead of the usual 50 or 52, then divide by 12 – this will be what you must pay every month.

What if I am still unsure or need further help?

If you are unsure what you need to do, or need further help, please call us on 0800 218 2247 or email enquiries@wcht.org.uk