For tenants
Act early and keep talking, even if you can only pay part of what you owe. We help you work out what you can afford and put an offer in writing. Free debt advice is available from Citizens Advice and StepChange, and your council may offer a discretionary housing payment.
Why early action works best
A small shortfall is much easier to deal with than a large one. Tenants may be able to get help while their debt is manageable, and landlords avoid months of lost rent, court fees and the costs of finding a new tenant. A written plan also gives everyone a clear record of what was agreed.
A landlord can serve notice on the arrears grounds, and Ground 8 is mandatory if at least three months’ rent is owed both when the notice is served and at the hearing. Reducing the debt below that level before the hearing can therefore make a real difference.
Help that may be available
Tenants can check their entitlement to Universal Credit housing costs or housing benefit, and ask their council about a discretionary housing payment. Citizens Advice, StepChange and National Debtline offer free debt advice. The Breathing Space scheme may pause action by most creditors for a period.
Landlords can ask about a managed payment of Universal Credit housing costs in appropriate cases. Check any mortgage or insurance terms too, as these can include obligations once rent arrears reach a certain level.
For landlords
An accurate statement and a written plan protect your position whichever way things go. Mandatory Ground 8 requires at least three months’ arrears, both when the notice is served and at the hearing, so the figures must be right. We help you keep them clear.
What a good repayment plan includes
A plan should be affordable, specific and written down. It should also say what happens if a payment is missed, so nobody is left guessing.
- The total arrears and the date they were calculated
- Current rent, plus a fixed extra amount
- Payment dates and method
- When the plan will be reviewed
When formal action is underway
If you have received court papers, get advice immediately from Shelter, Citizens Advice or a solicitor. Legal aid may be available to tenants. Do not ignore a hearing date, because the court may decide the case without you.
Reconcile the balance before proposing instalments
List the rent due for each period, payments received and any agreed credits. Check the opening balance and avoid mixing rent arrears with disputed charges. A repayment proposal is easier to discuss when both sides can see how the figure was calculated and which payments are still being traced.
Separate ongoing rent from the additional repayment amount. Use a realistic budget and record the review date, payment method and what to do if circumstances change. Do not promise payments based on benefits that have not been awarded. If possession is threatened, seek free housing advice promptly; preparing a plan does not suspend notice periods or court deadlines.
Official guidance for this service
Use these sources to check the rules and procedures relevant to your situation. Our preparation service is independent of the organisations linked below.
Questions about this service
How much should a repayment plan be?
It should be an amount the tenant can keep up with on top of their normal rent. A free debt adviser can help to work out what is affordable. Set out the current rent separately from the additional arrears instalment and record when each is due. Allow for essential living costs and review points if income changes. A signed plan is useful only if the figures are understood and realistic for the household.
Should a landlord stop accepting part payments?
Accepting part payments does not stop a landlord from taking action, but keep accurate records. Take advice if you are relying on Ground 8, as payments affect the amount owed. Update the ledger promptly and identify which period each payment covers, including any agreed allocation. Keep the tenant informed of the remaining balance. Whether a payment affects a particular possession ground or court step needs assessment against the actual notice and case dates.
Can a plan stop an eviction?
A plan that is kept to often removes the need for action. If a case is already in court, get advice quickly, as the court may be able to make an order that depends on regular payments. Keep proof of each payment and check the wording of any existing order or agreement. A private repayment discussion does not automatically cancel a hearing or enforcement appointment. Obtain urgent advice on the case stage before assuming that making one payment stops further action.
Do you collect the rent for landlords?
No. We help with statements, letters and plans, but we do not act as a debt collector and we do not handle any payments. Payments stay between the relevant parties through their usual agreed channels. We can organise the statement and proposed repayment wording, but do not receive money, pursue recovery as a collector or guarantee that an agreement will be accepted or maintained.
Can you negotiate for me?
We help you prepare what to say. Any agreement is between you and the other side. We can help produce a clear balance, a proposed schedule and wording for you to send after checking the figures. The other party must consider and agree any arrangement themselves. Keep the written response and continue dealing separately with any court timetable or existing order.
Can Universal Credit be paid to my landlord?
It may be possible to arrange a managed payment. Ask the DWP or an adviser. Have the rent amount, arrears history and benefit details ready when asking about the available process. We can help organise the figures for that discussion, but do not decide eligibility or redirect payments. Continue checking the rent account while a request is considered, because expected support is not the same as a payment received.
