Behind with your rent? What to do in England

Missing a payment puts you in arrears. The sooner you act, the more options you have.

Key points

• Keep paying your current rent so the debt does not grow.
• Talk to your landlord early and explain why you fell behind.
• Only offer a repayment plan you can really afford. Write it down and ask your landlord to sign it. Your landlord does not have to agree.
• Check you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to and that the amounts are right.
• If you pay as much as you can, a court is less likely to order you to leave than if you owe a lot.

Steps

1. Check who owes what. If you have your own agreement with the landlord, you may only owe your own rent. If you took over someone else's tenancy, you usually only owe from your start date. Under a joint tenancy you may be responsible for everyone's rent.
2. Confirm the amount. Look at bank statements, receipts or a rent book. Ask the landlord for a statement if it is unclear.
3. Talk to your landlord and, if you can, offer a payment plan. Our arrears letter template can help.
4. Check your income and make a simple budget to see what you can pay.
5. Ask for direct payments from benefits. If you get Universal Credit housing costs or Housing Benefit and you owe at least 8 weeks of rent, you can ask for part of your benefit to be paid straight to your landlord. You or your landlord can also ask the DWP to pay your housing costs to the landlord.
6. Ask your council for a Discretionary Housing Payment if your housing benefit or Universal Credit does not cover your rent. It is not guaranteed.
7. Ask your council about a homelessness prevention fund. Some councils help pay arrears even if you are not facing immediate eviction.
8. Get free advice. Citizens Advice can help with repayment plans and benefits. If you are being taken to court, get advice straight away.

Breathing space

If you are in problem debt, a debt adviser may be able to arrange 60 days of "breathing space" in which creditors cannot chase you or add charges. You still need to pay current rent.

Limits of this guide

This is general information for England. Rules for lodgers and for supported housing can be different.

Questions people ask

Sources and official help

• Citizens Advice: Rent arrears
• GOV.UK: Universal Credit, advance or financial support
• Shelter England: housing advice

This guide is general information, not legal or benefits advice. Rules and amounts change, so check the official links above or speak to Citizens Advice or your council before you make a decision.

More guides

• Money basics for your first home: savings, debt and credit (video guide)
• Council Tax Reduction: who can get help paying council tax
• Council tax discounts, exemptions and support (video guide)