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Rent arrears in a housing association or council home

Talk to your landlord about rent

Late or missed rent payments put you at risk of eviction.

If you owe rent, it's called having rent arrears.

You can usually stay in your home if you:

  • start paying your full rent

  • agree a repayment plan for arrears

It's best to set up a repayment plan as soon as you can.

But you can talk to your landlord at any time if you're being evicted.

The council or housing association must help if you ask for support.

You have a good chance of keeping your home if you take action now.

Steps to take if you owe rent.

Your landlord should try to contact you

The council or housing association might phone you or send an email, text or letter.

They will want to talk about:

  • how much rent you owe

  • why you have missed payments

  • how you can pay the arrears off

  • benefits to help with your rent

They must try to contact you before they give you a legal notice.

Do not ignore missed calls or texts from your landlord.

Call back as soon as you can.

Check your post and emails

Your council or housing association could:

  • write to you about rent arrears

  • give you a legal notice if they want to start court action

Ask your landlord about anything you do not understand.

You can ask for information in another language or format, such as large print.

Pay any service charges

Your tenancy agreement might say you have to pay a service charge.

This could be part of your rent. Or you might have to pay it as an extra charge.

Universal credit (UC) or housing benefit can cover some service charges.

But these benefits do not cover charges for:

  • energy or water inside your home

  • individual emergency alarm systems

  • wardens, caretakers or tenancy support

Make sure you pay these charges if your agreement says you have to.

Service charge arrears can count as rent arrears and put you at risk of eviction.

Find out more about service charges for council and housing association tenants.

Tell your landlord about money problems

Ask for help if you have problems with UC or housing benefit.

Let your landlord know if, for example:

Social landlords know that people have problems with the cost of living. They should help you to get money advice or sort out benefit problems.

Letter templates to help you

Social landlords should only evict tenants with rent arrears as a last resort.

You can use these letters at any time but it's best to speak to your landlord early.

What do you want to tell your council or housing association?

If you agree a rent repayment plan

Your landlord should not evict you if you keep to a repayment plan.

Keep a record of what you agree and the payments you make.

Let your council or housing association know if you cannot make a payment.

If you break a rent repayment plan

Your landlord should warn you before starting court action to evict you. They should give you a time limit to get back on track with payments.

Get free advice

Advice centres and charities give free advice to tenants with rent problems.

Find out where to get:

Last updated: 26 August 2024

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