As your landlord, Jigsaw Homes charges your rent weekly. Occasionally (about every five to six years) the rent year has 53 weeks instead of 52 weeks, to keep in line with the calendar year.
This will be the case in 2024/2025. So, from 01 April 2024, you will need to pay for 53 Mondays – which is the day your rent week starts – rather than 52.
If you are clearing your rent account every week or month – reducing the balance to zero – then this won’t be a problem.
If you pay your rent every month (by calculating your weekly rent times 52 and divided by 12) then you’ll be a day short every year (two days short in a leap year) and will have to make up the extra.
Please read the FAQs section below, which should help to answer any questions you might have. If you think you are going to be affected by this, or you still need some help, please get in touch.
- I claim Universal Credit. How is this worked out?
If you are on Universal Credit, this is assessed and paid every month. Universal Credit is calculated on a 52-week basis but only pays 364 days in a year, so is always a day short (or two if there is a leap year.) - Why Is this?
This is because when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) works out your monthly rent, it multiplies a week’s rent by 52 (weeks of the year) times by 7 (days a week) which works out at 364. It then divides this by 12 (months).This would be fine if there were exactly 52 weeks rent in a year – but there aren’t. There’s always an extra day in the year, or two in a leap year, which is the case in 2024.
If you don’t pay that extra day yourself, this then can ‘catch up’ with you once every 5 or 6 years – ie whenever there are 53 Mondays in a financial year. Unfortunately, 2024/5 is one of those years.
The DWP has said it won’t pay any extra Universal Credit to cover this. The only way to avoid falling into arrears is by paying a little extra each week to ensure your rent is covered.
- What if I pay by monthly Direct Debit?
If you pay by Direct Debit you don’t need to do anything. We will calculate this for you and automatically adjust your payments accordingly. - What if I pay by monthly standing order?
If you pay by standing order, you need to make an adjustment to your monthly payments yourself. To calculate how much rent you should be paying each month, multiply your weekly rent amount by 53 and then divide it by 12.For example, if your rent is £100 per week you would use the following calculation: £100 x 53 ÷ 12 = £441.66
Once you’ve calculated your monthly payments, contact your bank to update your standing order.
- What if I pay by a monthly card payment?
If you pay by card each month, you will need to make an adjustment to your monthly payments. Calculate your new monthly rent payment as above (your weekly rent x 53 ÷ 12). - What happens if I have non-charging weeks?
Your non-charging weeks will still apply, but this year you will have one more weekly rent charge than usual. So, if you have two non-charging weeks and you are normally charged rent 50 times each year, this year you will have 51 rent-charging weeks. - What if I pay weekly?
There is no change. You will pay your new weekly rent from 01 April in advance every Monday. - What if I claim Housing Benefit?
If you are in receipt of housing benefit you don’t need to do anything, as this will be covered. - Where do I go if I need help with this?
If you would like any support with budgeting or other money advice, please email our Money Advice Team at GroupMoneyAdvice@jigsawhomes.org.uk or call 0300 111 1133.
