How to deal with rent arrears
Rent is one of your most important monthly payments.
If you pay late or miss payments, it's called being in rent arrears.
Take these steps if you owe rent:
1. Contact your landlord
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
Guide for private renters
We have advice and letter templates about late or unpaid rent in a private tenancy.
Even private landlords may let you stay if problems can be sorted out.
Advice for council or housing association tenants
Tell your landlord if you have money problems. They should help.
Ask them to explain any letters you do not understand.
Find out how social landlords should help tenants with rent arrears.
2. Get a benefits check
You can do this for free with an online calculator or through a helpline.
You could get money that you did not know about.
Find out how to check your benefits.
3. Apply for discretionary housing payments
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.
Find your council's DHP team with our tool.
4. Look for other money help
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:
Avoid payday loans and doorstep lenders
These loans are expensive and often make your debt worse.
5. Use an online budget tool
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.
6. Make a repayment offer
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
7. Find a debt adviser
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
Find out where to get free debt advice.
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.
Find out more about breathing space.
8. Deal with an eviction notice
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.
Find out where to get free legal advice.
Check what the notice means
Find out what to do if you get a:
A notice from the bailiffs means your landlord has already got an eviction order.
Last updated: 27 August 2024
