Hackney Council is responsible for setting the rent that you will pay to Hackney Homes. The Council's policies for setting rent are governed by the Government’s Rent Restructuring guidelines.

The Government wants social rent to remain affordable and be fair and easy to understand and for there to be a closer link between rent and the qualities which tenants value in properties.

Rent setting is dependent on a number of factors including current rent charged, the number of bedrooms in the property, property asset values, and local earnings.

The formula set down by the Government requires the basic rent to converge in line with a predetermined rent formula each year in order to achieve convergence by 2011/12.

To protect tenants from large increases the Government sets a maximum rental increase each year.

Your rent is based on the type and size of the property you live in and the facilities you receive. The payments are due weekly every Monday.

The amount you pay is made up of your weekly rent and water charges. For certain properties the payment includes service and concierge charges or communal heating charges. If you owe us rent or a charge for damage to your home you will pay an extra amount each week until it is repaid. Your rent will also include a tenant levy which is a small payment towards a fund which gives grants to local tenant groups.

You will be given a receipt each time you make a payment (unless you pay using dierct debit through your bank, over the phone or by posting a cheque). Keep your receipt in a safe place and always check that the records are correct. You will receive a statement of your account every three months, but you can ask for a statement at any time at your Local Neighbourhood Office

Your Council tax is a separate payment and this will be sent to you by the Hackney Council. Your rent payment includes your water and sewerage charges.

Rent levels are reviewed once a year. If your rent goes up we will write to you at least four weeks before it must be paid. Rent increases usually come into effect on the 1st of April.