Introduction
Are you struggling to keep up with your rent payments? Falling behind on rent can lead to serious consequences, including eviction. This guide will help you understand your rights, the steps you can take to address rent arrears, and the support available to you. If you need assistance, Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts are here to help you navigate your legal challenges and find the best solutions for your situation. With Contend, you can access the easiest legal help in the UK.
If you find yourself behind on your rent payments, you are in what’s called “arrears.” This means you owe money to your landlord, whether they are a private landlord, a housing association, or your local council. Missing even one rent payment puts you in arrears, and it’s important to address this situation quickly to avoid eviction.
Take Action Quickly
The sooner you deal with rent arrears, the better. If you don’t pay, your landlord may start the eviction process. Even if you can’t pay the full amount right away, making partial payments can show your landlord you’re trying to resolve the issue and may help you avoid eviction.
Need More Time? Consider Breathing Space
If you need a little extra time to sort out your finances, the government offers a “breathing space” scheme. This allows you to pause any actions related to your arrears for up to 60 days. During this time, your landlord cannot contact you about the debt, add interest, or demand payment. However, you still need to keep paying your current rent. To qualify for breathing space, you’ll need to speak with a debt advisor.
Understand Your Responsibility
Before making any payments, it’s essential to know what you owe. You may not be responsible for the entire amount if:
- You share a tenancy with someone else.
- You took over someone else’s lease.
Joint Tenancy vs. Separate Tenancies
If you have a joint tenancy, all tenants are responsible for the total rent. If one person doesn’t pay, the others may have to cover that amount. If you have separate tenancy agreements, you are only responsible for your portion of the rent.
New Tenants
If you moved in after someone else and your landlord is asking you to pay their arrears, remind them of your move-in date. You shouldn’t have to pay debts incurred before you became a tenant.
Know How Much You Owe
To find out how much you owe, review your bank statements, receipts, or any rent records you have. If you’re unsure, ask your landlord for a statement of your payments. If you receive benefits that go directly to your landlord, check how much has been paid.
Assess Your Financial Situation
Look at your budget to see how much you can afford to pay back. Even if you can only make small payments, it’s crucial to keep paying your rent to avoid falling further into debt.
Explore Benefits
Many people are unaware of the benefits they may qualify for. Consider checking if you can receive additional financial help, such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. You can use resources like the Turn2us benefits calculator to see what you may be eligible for.
Energy Costs Assistance
If you’re struggling with energy bills, check if you can get help from your energy supplier, such as a grant or fuel voucher.
Repaying Your Rent Arrears
It’s vital to keep paying your rent while addressing your arrears. Talk to your landlord about your situation. If you can pay off the arrears in one go, do so and request a receipt.
If you need time to repay, you can propose a repayment plan where you pay a little extra each month on top of your rent. For example, if your rent is £600, you might agree to pay £700 for six months—this way, you’ll pay off your arrears gradually.
Make sure to document any repayment agreements you reach with your landlord.
Paying Arrears from Benefits
If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you might be able to use a portion of your benefits to pay your arrears directly to your landlord. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for guidance on how to set this up.
Discretionary Housing Payments
If you’re receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you might qualify for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) from your local council. This can help cover your rent without needing to pay it back. Check with your council for more information on how to find your local council on GOV.UK.
Seek Additional Help
If you’re still struggling, consider reaching out to charities that offer financial assistance. Some grants are available based on your specific circumstances, such as age or health conditions. You can search for help on the Turn2us website.
Consider a Lodger
If you have extra space in your home, consider getting a lodger. This can help with costs, but be sure to check how it might affect your benefits and whether you need permission from your landlord.
What to Do If Eviction Is Imminent
If your landlord is trying to evict you, pay as much of your arrears as you can. This can be helpful if you end up in court. Remember, even if you pay off your debts, your landlord might still pursue eviction.
If you find yourself facing eviction, seek legal advice or try Contend’s legal expert chat for support. Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts will work with you to provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems.
Dealing with rent arrears can be daunting, but taking proactive steps and seeking help can make a difference. Remember, you’re not alone, and there are resources available to assist you. If you get benefits other than Universal Credit, 5% of those payments will go to your landlord. No more than £4.25 should be taken each week – you can check how much can be deducted from your benefit payments on GOV.UK.
For more info, check out some of our related articles:
- Can I Withhold Rent for Repairs? UK Tenant Rights Explained
- Withholding Rent for Repairs in the UK: Know Your Rights
- UK Rent Support Guide: Managing Costs, Universal Credit & Legal Aid
- UK Eviction Guide: Know Your Rights and Find Legal Support
- Eviction Notice in the UK? Know Your Rights and Get Help
