What to do if you can’t pay rent in the first instance
If you haven’t already done so, outline a budget which details your income and outgoings to give you a clear idea of what you can afford and how much help with rent you might need. Check if there are any costs you can cut, such as cancelling subscriptions you don’t use or finding out if you qualify for low-income energy tariffs. You might also be entitled to a discount on council tax if, for example, you live alone or are on a low income.
It’s important that you speak to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible. If you’re subletting, that means speaking to the person who sublet to you rather than their landlord – they’ll be liable for the rent you don’t pay.
The landlord or letting agent could offer to negotiate a temporary agreement, such as an extension reduced payments in the short-term, which will mean you get to stay in your home until you get your financial situation under control. You should tell them if you can afford to pay some of the rent, if not all of it. But remember a landlord isn’t required by law to support you.
“As it stands in the private rented sector, there is no legal requirement – as there is in the mortgage and social rented sector – for landlords to engage with their tenants to support them through financial difficulty,” said Simon Trevethick, head of communications for StepChange.
“However, this is not to say that individual landlords will not utilise discretion, if you fall into rent arrears reach out to your landlord and see what support they can provide, whether that be a payment holiday or a repayment plan.”
If they agree to a temporary payment plan, get it in writing and signed by both parties. If they don’t agree but you have offered to pay partial rent until your finances improve, pay that anyway rather than not paying at all – it will put you in a better position if your landlord takes legal action.
It’s worth taking the time to go through records of your rent payments, such as a rent book or bank statements, to see what you have paid and are still to pay – and that the amount matches what your landlord says is due.
How to get help with paying rent
Your next step should be investigating the extra money you could be entitled to. This usually means benefits or emergency grants to help pay your rent.
“As it stands, private tenants are at high risk of eviction,” Trevethick added. “Under the Housing Act, section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without having a reason, also called “no fault” evictions.
“Under section 8, they can evict tenants for arrears. As a result, your rights as a tenant are incredibly limited, so rent has to be a priority repayment, alongside council tax, your TV licence, and others.
“If you receive an eviction notice, you can get free legal advice from the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. And if your eviction goes through, make sure you make yourself known to your local council as they have a legal responsibility to help you.”
Universal credit for rent costs
Housing costs can be paid via universal credit for those who are eligible. To qualify, you need to be on a low income (the threshold varies depending on your circumstances) and have savings of less than £16,000.
Even if you have checked in the past and been ineligible, or already claim a different benefit, it’s worth using an online benefits calculator such as entitledto to see if your entitlement has changed. Changes in circumstances such as losing your job or becoming a carer can mean you qualify for universal credit for the first time.
If you already claim the housing element of universal credit and it is paid directly to your landlord, check your letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for information on how much has been paid or contact them directly.
Discretionary housing payments
If you need help with rent, you might be able to claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). These are one-off payments from your local authority which you don’t need to pay back. They are only offered to people who already claim universal credit or housing benefit.
Your claim will be assessed based on your circumstances, so it’s important to give the council as much information as possible. That could include figures for your income and outgoings, anything that may have happened which has resulted in you being unable to pay your rent on this occasion, and how you could be impacted if denied a DHP.
Your council will also be interested in how much you receive in universal credit or housing benefit, how your children or elderly relatives are being affected, and the reasons you are unable to move somewhere with lower rent costs.
Visit your local authority’s website for details on eligibility and how to apply.
Charity grants to help with rent
Some charities offer one-off grants to those struggling. If you need to get help with rent, try using an online grants search tool.
Just like DHPs, these don’t need to be paid back. Applications are often assessed based on similar criteria, plus other circumstances such as your job history or your physical health.
Emergency help with rent
If you’re still not sure what steps to take or need more support to pay your rent, there are a number of organisations with advisers to help.
Shelter offers an emergency helpline, web chat and online resources outlining your rights and what to do if you need help with rent.
Citizens Advice has digital guides and advisers who can support you through rent troubles and other financial difficulties. They can also assist you if you need to speak to your landlord but don’t know how to navigate the conversation.
For both organisations, remember to check you’re gathering advice specific to your area – the law around private renting differs slightly depending on where you are in the UK.
Use the Turn2us adviser locator to find local support tailored to your circumstances. Avoid payday loans at all costs – they will cost you even more money and leave you in a more severe financial situation in the future.
Remember a landlord cannot immediately evict you after one missed rent payment, and must follow the correct process. The necessary steps and length of notice you are entitled to can vary depending on your circumstances, so it’s extremely important to get tailored advice if you think you’re at risk of eviction.
An attempted eviction for unpaid rent can be illegal depending on a number of factors. That could mean you didn’t receive the right paperwork, you weren’t given enough notice under the law, if your landlord is discriminating against you, or if you’re in England or Wales and on a debt respite plan under the Breathing Space scheme (statutory moratorium in Scotland).
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