What is a 53 week year?
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.
This was the case for the financial year from Monday 1 April 2024 to Sunday 6 April 2025 and there will be another 53 week year in 2031.
What does a 53 week financial year mean for me?
There is 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.
What do I owe for the 2024-2025 financial year?
If you'd like to calculate your extra payment for the financial year 2024-2025, 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.
Please note, if you do owe an extra payment for the 53rd week in 2024-2025, and you haven't already made that payment - you will now be in arrears. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible, as it's better to deal with it straight away. Call our Customer Accounts team on 0300 5000 926 and they will help you work out a way forward.
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.
Please note, if you haven't already made the payment, you will be in arrears. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible, as it's better to deal with it straight away. Call our Customer Accounts team on 0300 5000 926 and they will help you work out a way forward.
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.
Please note, if you haven't already made the payment, you will be in arrears. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible, as it's better to deal with it straight away. Call our Customer Accounts team on 0300 5000 926 and they will help you work out a way forward.
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.