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Letter templates for private tenants: Rent arrears

You cannot be evicted immediately if you owe rent or miss a payment.

Your landlord must follow a legal eviction process if they want you to leave.

Find out how to deal with rent arrears.

If you cannot afford your rent anymore

Use this template to explain that your situation has changed and your landlord must follow the legal process if they want you to leave.

Copy it into an email to your landlord or agent.

[Use the subject: Update on my situation]

I'm writing to you about the rent that I owe.

I'm sorry that I've been unable to pay my full rent. I appreciate that this puts us both in a difficult position.

Due to a change in my situation, I have to look for somewhere cheaper to live.

I would like to reassure you that I will pay as much as I can while I remain a tenant.

[Write how much you can pay and when you can make the next payment]

I will contact you with a repayment proposal once I have had advice on my situation.

I would ask that you do not visit my home in the meantime to ask for the rent, and that you follow the legal eviction process if you want me to leave.

I would also ask that we communicate by email moving forward.

If you want to stay and make a repayment proposal

Use this template to agree a repayment plan with your landlord. This could stop pressure to leave because of missed rent payments.

Copy it into an email to your landlord or agent.

[Use the subject: Rent repayment proposal]

I’m writing to you about the rent that I owe.

I have experienced short term difficulties because [write why you could not pay].

I would like to reassure you that I can pay my rent moving forward.

[Explain how you can pay the rent from now on]

I can pay £xx each month towards the arrears.

I will pay this on top of my normal rent until the arrears are cleared.

I hope that we can agree this plan and that I can continue to live here.

I would ask that you do not visit my home in the meantime to ask for the rent, and that you follow the legal eviction process if you want me to leave.

I would also ask that we communicate by email moving forward.

Need more advice?

Check if you can get help with your rent if you cannot afford your rent payments.

Your tenancy continues until you move out voluntarily or are evicted by court bailiffs.

Your landlord must follow the legal eviction process.

Need more templates?

What do you want to tell your landlord or letting agent?


Last updated: 29 June 2023

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