53-week year

There will be 53 Mondays in the 2024/25 financial year, instead of the typical 52. This happens every five or six years because a year is not exactly 52 weeks long, but is actually about 52 weeks and one day. Over time, these extra days accumulate, resulting in what is known as a 53-week year.

A 53-week year can have implications for rent and Universal Credit payments. For residents who are charged weekly for their rent costs, there is an extra week of rent to pay.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will only pay up to 52 weeks of rent per year, and has confirmed that it will not pay for the 53rd week.

This means that if your housing costs are covered by Universal Credit payments and you are impacted by this change, you will need to pay for the additional week yourself.

If you receive Housing Benefit to cover your rent costs you will not be affected as this benefit will cover the extra week for you.

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