Introduction

As your landlord, the Council is seeking your views on its current plans for your rent and service charges for next year. This covers the period from April 2026 to March 2027.

All the money collected from rents and service charges goes towards funding the service provision of the Councils social housing, managed by Derby Homes.

In a period where many households continue to be under financial pressures, the Council is conscious that it must work towards a balance between:

• the funds it needs to maintain your existing homes and provide additional ones
• the cost of this to you, and
• the cost to the wider taxpayer through welfare support.

When we refer to services in this consultation, we mean:

• services provided to you
• maintenance, repairs, and improvements to your home
• services provided to other tenants, and
• the development of new social housing

Please read the detailed proposals for each question before giving your feedback.

Not all service charges apply to all households. Each proposal explains which services or who the charge will apply to.

Derby Homes is carrying out this consultation on behalf of Derby City Council.

The questions ask for your views on the current Council proposals for next year’s rent and service charges. The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete.

What happens with your feedback?

The results from this consultation will be discussed at the Derby Homes Operational Committee on 11 September 2025 and with the Derby Homes Board on 30 October 2025. The Board report will summarise the feedback collected as part of this consultation alongside our recommendations to the Council. It is planned for the Councils Cabinet to discuss next year’s rent and service charges at the Cabinet meeting in December 2025.

The Council is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing who helps to ensure that all social housing providers operate ethically, efficiently and that rents remain within specified limits.

Help and support if you need it

If you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact Derby Homes.

https://www.derbyhomes.org/your-home/tenants/rent/#page-2(External link)

Specific money and benefit advice is available to all tenants.

https://www.derbyhomes.org/advice-support/money-advice/(External link)

Summary rent and service charges proposals for April 2026 to March 2027

Rents

In line with guidelines from the Regulator of Social Housing the Council is proposing:

• A rent increase for the April 2026 to March 2027 period, based on the September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figure (estimated at 3.5%) plus 1%. Giving an estimate rent increase of 4.5%.
• And, for the majority of tenants, a further increase of up to £2 per week under “rent convergence”. This aims to close the gap between what current rent levels are and what the Regulator agrees to be what the minimum social rent levels should be at. The additional income generated by Landlords can then be invested in current and future homes.

General service charges

The Council is proposing to increase service charges by the September 2025 CPI Inflation level. This is estimated at 3.5%. This excludes the specific service charges listed below.

Furniture Pack service charges

The council is proposing that there is no increase to Furniture Pack service charges for 2026/27.

Grounds Maintenance service charge

The Council is proposing an increase of up to £1 per week increase for all tenants (and leaseholders) who receive the service.

Communal Cleaning service charge

The Council is proposing an increase of up to £1 per week increase for all tenants (and leaseholders) who receive the service.

Utility (gas & electric) service charges

Parkland View, Whitecross House and Rebecca House only.

The Council is proposing to increase the service charges by up to £3 per week, so the charge is closer to the forecasted 2026/27 costs.

This survey will close on 17 August 2025.