You said, we did - tenant engagement outcomes

Annual rent review

As part of our recent consultation on the annual rent review, we asked Norwich City Council tenants to share their views on the proposed rent increase from April 2026 and how we can improve the way we communicate about rents and service charges. This feedback will help shape how we provide information to residents in the future, including the clarity of our annual rent review letters and online rent updates.

Thank you to the 373 residents who took part.

We asked

We asked for your views on how we communicate with you about the annual rent review, including the proposed rent increase from April 2026. We also sought feedback on how clear the information was, whether the example rent letter was easy to understand, and how we could improve future communication about rents and service charges.

You said

You told us that some of the rent information was not clear enough, and that rent letters should be written in plain English with a clearer layout. Many residents also wanted a better understanding of how rent money is spent, especially during ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures.

Additional themes included:

• Repairs remain a top priority and delays are frustrating
• Rent increases feel harder to manage because of wider financial pressures

We did

In response to your feedback, we will:

• Improve future rent letters, making them clearer and easier to read for 2027–28
• Provide a simpler breakdown of rent and service charges so you can easily see what you pay for
• Show how rent is spent with a clear, easy‑to‑read breakdown in future communications
• Add a comparison with private rents to help show value for money
• Update the rent information on our website for 2026–27 to be more transparent
• Make sure rent updates are available by letter, email and text, so everyone gets information in a way that suits them

Need support?

If you are struggling with rent, help is available. Visit our website: Norwich CC Homepage | Norwich City Council or call an income officer during office hours on 01603 987601.