Housing & money · UK guide

Behind on rent? Acting early protects your home.

Last verified 21 Jun 2026 · Source GOV.UK + Shelter + Citizens Advice

Falling behind on rent is frightening, but you have more options and time than it feels like. Talk to your landlord, make sure you’re getting all the housing support you’re owed, apply for a council top-up, treat rent as a priority debt, and use Breathing Space to pause action while you sort a plan. Here’s exactly what to do — and what really happens if arrears build up.

Act earlyThe single best move
Council top-upDiscretionary Housing Payment
60 daysBreathing Space pause
Priority debtDeal with rent first
What to do → Get debt help

Step 1 — talk to your landlord early

The biggest mistake is going quiet. Contact your landlord (or letting agent) before the arrears grow, explain what’s happened, and offer a realistic plan: keep paying the current rent plus a bit off the arrears each month. Most landlords prefer a paying tenant on a plan to the cost and hassle of eviction.

  • Put any agreement in writing and keep copies.
  • Only promise what you can actually afford — work it out with a free debt adviser first if unsure.
  • If you get Universal Credit, you (or your landlord) can ask for the housing element to be paid direct to the landlord (an Alternative Payment Arrangement), which reassures them and protects your tenancy.

Step 2 — get every pound of help

HelpWhat it does
Check your housing supportMake sure you’re getting all the Universal Credit housing element or Housing Benefit you’re entitled to — and get it backdated if you’ve been underpaid. Run a benefits check.
Discretionary Housing PaymentA council top-up if you get Housing Benefit or the UC housing element — can cover a shortfall or a one-off payment towards arrears. (Some councils have renamed or restructured these into local housing/crisis funds — ask your council’s current scheme.) See DHP guide.
Council hardship / welfare fundsMany councils run crisis or hardship funds that can help with rent or essentials — ask, and see local help.
Breathing Space60 days where most creditor action and interest are paused while you get debt advice (set up via a free debt adviser). You must keep paying ongoing rent. See Breathing Space.
Rent is a “priority debt”

Because the consequence is losing your home, rent comes before non-priority debts like credit cards or catalogues. A free debt adviser will help you pay priority debts first — see which debt to pay first. Free help: StepChange 0800 138 1111, National Debtline 0808 808 4000, Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848.

What actually happens if arrears build up

A landlord cannot just throw you out. They must follow a legal process: serve a valid notice, get a court order, and only then can bailiffs carry out an eviction. A notice is not an eviction.

  • Two months’ (or more) arrears is a specific ground a landlord can rely on — which is exactly why acting early and keeping arrears down matters.
  • Never ignore a notice or court papers. Respond, attend any hearing, and get advice — a judge can give you time or suspend a possession order if you’re paying what you can.
  • Locked out without a court order? That’s illegal eviction (a crime) — see our illegal eviction guide.
If you’re at risk of losing your home

Contact your council’s housing team as early as possible — they have a duty to help if you’re threatened with homelessness (see homeless help) — and call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 for free, expert housing advice. The earlier you ask, the more they can do.

Do this now
  1. Message your landlord with a realistic offer — current rent plus a little off the arrears.
  2. Run a benefits check and apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your council.
  3. Call free debt advice — StepChange 0800 138 1111 or National Debtline 0808 808 4000 — and ask about Breathing Space.

Free help: Shelter 0808 800 4444 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · StepChange 0800 138 1111. This is general information, not legal advice.

Source verification Primary sources: GOV.UK (private renting — rent arrears; UC managed payments & rent-arrears deductions), Shelter and Citizens Advice. Last verified 21 June 2026. Confidence: High — act early and agree a realistic plan; UC housing element can be paid direct to the landlord (Alternative Payment Arrangement), and from 2 months’ arrears a rent-arrears deduction can be set up; Discretionary Housing Payments top up Housing Benefit/UC housing element and can go towards arrears (some councils have renamed/restructured these locally); Breathing Space pauses most action for 60 days; rent is a priority debt; and a landlord must use notice → court order → bailiffs to evict (two months’ arrears is a specific ground). SortedUK is independent — not a government service or a law firm, and this is general information, not legal advice. England focus; Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Rent arrears — common questions

Should I keep paying something even if I can't pay it all?

Yes. Paying what you can shows good faith, keeps the arrears down, and helps if it ever reaches court — a judge is more likely to give you time if you’re paying what you reasonably can. Get a free debt adviser to set an affordable figure.

Can the council really help with arrears?

Often yes — a Discretionary Housing Payment can cover a rent shortfall or a one-off amount towards arrears if you get Housing Benefit or the UC housing element. Some councils also run hardship/crisis funds. Apply as early as you can.

Will rent arrears affect my credit file?

Rent itself isn’t usually on your credit file, but a county court judgment for arrears would be, and arrears can affect future references. Dealing with it early and keeping a written plan is the best protection.

I've had a notice — am I being evicted now?

No. A notice is the start of a process, not an eviction. Only a court order carried out by bailiffs can evict you. Don’t ignore it — get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice straight away; see our eviction guide.

The earlier you act, the more your options.

Talk to your landlord, claim every pound of housing help, and get free debt advice. Want help working out a realistic plan?

Ask Sorted to help → Get debt help