How to deal with rent arrears
Always try to negotiate with your landlord or agent.
Even private landlords may let you stay if problems can be sorted out.
Let your landlord know you'll pay what you owe as soon as you can and if you're getting advice.
Do not ignore letters from your landlord or agent. Explain any missed rent payments if you can.
Councils and housing associations should offer support if you have money problems.
Make rent a priority payment
Rent is a priority payment. Rent arrears where you live are a priority debt.
You're at higher risk of eviction if you miss payments.
Try to:
pay your rent in full and on time
agree a repayment plan with your landlord
A debt adviser can help you to budget, organise your debts and negotiate with your landlord and other companies you owe money to.
You may be able to negotiate a rent reduction with your landlord if you are struggling.
Check your benefits
You can usually get universal credit if you're working age and on a low income.
Universal credit includes a housing element to help with rent.
You can ask the DWP to pay your housing element straight to your landlord if you owe at least 2 months' rent and in some other situations.
If you get housing benefit, you can continue to get this unless you choose to move to universal credit or a change in your situation means you are moved to universal credit.
Find out about moving from housing benefit to universal credit.
Contact a benefits adviser if you need to.
Use the entitledto benefits calculator to check what benefits you can get.
Apply for discretionary housing payments
Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) are extra payments from your local council to help with rent if you get universal credit or housing benefit.
Contact your council's discretionary housing payments team
What is your location?
Easy read advice
Find easy read advice about discretionary housing payments (DHPs) on the Mencap website.
Deal with deductions from your benefits
Your landlord can ask for money to be taken from your universal credit (UC) if you owe at least 2 months' rent.
This table shows the minimum and maximum amounts that can be taken for rent or service charge arrears. Amounts are rounded to the nearest pound.
Table: Monthly deductions for rent arrears from April 2023
| Claim type | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Single person under 25 | £31 | £62 |
| Single person aged 25 or over | £39 | £79 |
| Couple - both under 25 | £49 | £98 |
| Couple - either person 25 or over | £62 | £124 |
You can ask the DWP to take less money from your universal credit each month if your deductions are higher than the lowest amount.
Find out what to do if you’re struggling because of universal credit deductions.
Money taken from other benefits to pay rent arrears
The DWP can take money from other benefits, such as pension credit or employment and support allowance (ESA) to pay off rent arrears.
The most that can be taken from these benefits is £4.25 a week.
The money is paid straight to your landlord.
You or your landlord can ask for this if you owe at least 4 weeks' rent, and the arrears have built up over at least 8 weeks.
Talk to family or friends
Talk to family or friends you trust. They may be able to help.
If other adults live with you, explain your money problems. Ask if they can contribute more towards household costs.
Deal with landlord pressure to leave
Do not feel pressured into moving out immediately even if you have rent arrears, especially if you have nowhere to move to.
Eviction is a legal process and takes time.
You can ask for help from the council if your home is unaffordable. The council might be able to help you negotiate with your landlord or look at financial help.
Use our letter templates
Avoid payday loans
Payday loans are expensive and often make your debt worse.
Look for a grant or an interest free loan if you need a lump sum to pay off arrears.
Some councils may offer interest free loans or grants if you're at risk of eviction and this would help you stay in your home.
Find out about emergency grants and interest free loans.
Work out a repayment plan
First use an online tool to work out your budget.
These debt charities are a good place to start:
What your budget should look like
Your budget should show that you have:
enough money coming in to cover your essential spending
some money left over to pay off arrears in affordable instalments
Some costs vary over a year which makes them hard to estimate. For example, add a monthly estimate of about £15 to cover clothing costs even if you do not think you spend anything.
Once you've worked out your budget you may be able to make a repayment proposal to your landlord or agent.
Use our letter template
If your budget shows that you can't afford your rent
Get free regulated debt advice from any of the following charities:
Breathing Space is a scheme that can help tenants with rent arrears. It pauses the eviction process for up to 60 days while you get debt advice.
Save on your bills
Check with Citizens Advice if you can reduce bills for:
Consider changing to a water meter rather than paying water bills based on the size of your property.
Check if you could get council tax support or a discount on council tax.
Find out how to deal with household bills and where you can get help.
Last updated: 12 April 2023
