For the financial year 2024, we have carefully considered the current economic climate and balanced this with the need to meet our increasing costs and the investment needed in our homes. We have agreed the following rent increases:

Social rents

Rent to buy rents Rents will increase by 7.7% in line with the Rent Standard.

Market rents, shared living and mortgage rescue

Rents will continue to move towards the market rate. However, increases will be capped and nobody will face an increase of more than £80 per month.

Shared living properties will receive an increase to no more than £470 per month to reflect the increase in gas and electricity costs

Shared ownership rents

These will increase in line with the terms of the lease based on the September RPI inflation rate + 0.5% which is a total of 9.4%

Garages

Garage rents will increase by £1.50 per month in 2024 taking them to £35.50 per calendar month (plus VAT for those who are not are our tenants)

 

How is my rent spent?

All rent is reinvested into our core mission to provide great, safe homes and help build resilient communities where people can thrive. We know that customers value our repairs service which completes over 80% of repairs on the same day that they were reported.
The Pioneer Group invest more almost £3m a year on day-to-day maintenance, with further investments in future planned works. This includes programmes such as our window replacement scheme which will help to keep properties warmer and lower your heating bills. We are also planning a major upgrade to the conditions in the tower blocks

We have also recently undertaken significant investment in our electrical testing and installed carbon monoxide detectors in our homes to help keep you safe. Our £2.5m community investment pledge delivers a range of community services including the upkeep of Castle Vale’s open spaces and community safety initiatives (including CCTV) to keep our estate clean and safe.

We know it can feel particularly tough making ends meet right now, which is why we have invested so heavily in our support services, ranging from employment support, to health & wellbeing initiatives, debt advice to older persons service.

Support available

If you experience any financial difficulties, please talk to us straight away. We fund a confidential, independent money advice service for all Pioneer Group customers to receive free benefits, debt and budgeting advice without any delay.
Compass Support’s Employment Team offer various programmes of support, tailored to individual needs in order to help people get back into work. They provide 1-1 information, advice and guidance, training, help with confidence building, CVs, applying for jobs, computer skills and interview skills.

Independent Living Support and Family Support Teams provide assistance to people who are experiencing challenges within their home related to relationships, health, financial concerns, education or employment. They provide support to help respond to these challenges including access to specialist help, advice or support if needed.
You can find out more by dropping in to The Sanctuary on Tangmere Drive, contacting a member of the team on 0121 748 8111 or emailing: contactus@compass-support.org.uk

We also fund a crisis fund which we run in partnership with Spitfire Services. If you are facing an immediate financial crisis please contact us or Spitfire Services straight away.

If you think you will struggle to meet your new charges, please give our team a call. We have set aside some funds to help those customers who need help as a result of the changes in rent and service charges. Payments are not made automatically, and we can send you an application form if you think this applies to you.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rent payments, please contact our team on 0121 748 8100.