How to deal with rent arrears

Always try to contact your landlord or letting agent about missed rent payments.

If you're not sure what to say, just let them know:

• you will pay what you owe as soon as you can

• you are getting advice and taking steps to deal with the arrears

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You can do this for free with an online calculator or through a helpline.

You could get money that you did not know about.

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Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) are extra money to help with rent.

You can apply for DHPs from your local council if you get:

• universal credit

• housing benefit

You have to give information about your income and spending when you apply.

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You could get more help to pay rent, other living costs or debts.

A grant or interest free loan could help if you need to pay off rent arrears quickly.

Grants are best because they are extra money that you do not have to pay back.

Some councils give money from their homeless prevention fund. For example, if you're at risk of eviction and this would help you stay in your home.

Find out about:

• emergency grants and loans

• help with energy costs and debts

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These websites have tools or templates and are a good place to start:

• Money Helper budget planner
  Record your spending. Get tips on getting out of debt or starting to save.

• National Debtline advice tool
  Create an account. It helps you work out a budget and gives you debt solutions.

• StepChange budget templates
  Excel spreadsheet or PDF to download and print out. These resources are not accessible for people using screen readers.

You need information about your income and spending to use these tools. If most of your money goes through your bank account, a lot of this information is on your statements.

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You can make a repayment offer if your budget shows that you can afford to pay:

• your normal monthly rent

• an extra amount each month towards the arrears

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Get debt advice if:

• you have other unpaid bills or debts

• you cannot see how to pay off your arrears

• your budget shows you cannot afford your rent

• it's hard for you to take any of the other steps without help

• you are being evicted for rent arrears

Breathing space

A debt adviser can talk to you about breathing space.

This scheme pauses debt recovery for up to 60 days while you get debt advice.

It can also pause the eviction process if your landlord is evicting you for rent arrears.

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A notice from your landlord is the first legal step towards eviction.

Your landlord still has to apply to court. They might not do this if you can sort out your money or benefit problems.

Get free legal advice

Anyone with a notice can get free legal advice and help at court.

You could also get legal aid help if you're on benefits or a low income.

Check what the notice means

Find out what to do if you get a:

• section 8 notice from a private landlord

• section 21 notice from a private landlord

• rent arrears notice from a council or housing association

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