Each year, there will be changes to your charges. This page explains more about how your charges are calculated.
Help and support with payments
It's really important to talk to us if you have concerns about your ability to pay your charges. Your Bromford income management advisor is there to support you and work with you to find an affordable solution. They can also assist you to claim benefits and to help you to maximise your income. You will find their contact details on the top of your letter.
You can find additional information about what to do if you find yourself struggling with money here. Money matters: The cost of living | Bromford
October 2024 rent increase:
We have calculated the rent increase in accordance with your lease. Your lease will set out the mechanism for increasing your rent, which is usually based on the retail price index (RPI) for a month set out within your lease, there may also be an additional percentage applied on top.
For example; a lease states the rent is to be increased by June 2024 RPI + 0.5%. if the RPI for June 2024 was 2.9%. + 0.5% this means the rent would be increased by 3.4%.
Service charges - A service charge is the amount payable for the delivery of communal services such as grounds maintenance or other communal shared services applicable to freeholders, like the maintenance and emptying of Bromford-owned sewage tanks/systems etc.
If you don’t receive any services, then you won’t have to pay any service charges.
We have a legal obligation to provide certain services where you live and to maintain any communal areas, and you may be required to contribute towards the cost of providing these services as set out within the sales documents you received when you purchased your home - A Section 125 notice.
The list of services covered under your service charge are set out in the service charge statement we send to you along with your annual review letter. They will also be set out within your sales documents/Section 125 notice.
The services listed will be relevant to you and your home.
Freeholders pay their charges in arrears. This means the service charges you will see in your letter will be for the actual costs incurred by us to deliver the services you have received.
You will only ever pay the actual costs we incur in providing the service; no profit can be made through service charges.
If you are unhappy with the delivery of the service you are paying for, please contact your neighbourhood coach in the first instance.
Please contact your income management advisor with the details of your query. They will liaise with our rents and service charge team to review your charges and address any issues where applicable.
Freeholders can contact agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureau for independent advice or an independent solicitor.
You can also contact our customer solutions team to make a complaint here Complaints | Bromford
The new charges will apply from 1st October 2024.
If you pay your charges by direct debit, we’ll amend your payments to accommodate the new amount and you will receive a letter in March to confirm the new payments.
Direct debit is the easiest way to pay, please contact your income management advisor if you wish to set up a direct debit.
Other payment methods
Payments can also be made using a debit or credit card via your online customer portal account, or by telephone using the automated payment line on 0330 1234 034. You will need your account reference number to hand.