What should I do if I can’t afford my rent?
Contact your landlord
If you are struggling to make rent payments, you can download the letter below by clicking here.
Fighting together for free access to justice
If you are struggling to make rent payments, you can download the letter below by clicking here.
[Name of your landlord or agent Their Address and their e-mail address] [Date] Dear [landlord/ agent] Re: [address of your property] I hope you are keeping safe and well. I am writing to let you know that as a result of the COVID-19 crisis I am having additional difficulties making rent payments. I wanted to let you know as soon as possible so that you can take steps to minimise any loss or problems this may cause for you. [Explain problems you are having, for example: Unfortunately, as I have lost employment and I am having to make new claim for benefits as I can no longer work and my earnings have reduced significantly as a result of lock down, my children being at home, increased costs and shortages] I am struggling to pay for food, bill and other essential living costs. I am doing all I can to try to improve my financial circumstances. [Explain any steps you are taking for example: I have made a claim for benefits been looking for work applied for Discretionary Housing Payments tried to get advice about managing my income and my debts] I don’t want to just fall behind on my payments and so I am writing to see whether, in view of the crisis, you would be willing to show some flexibility with my payments for the next few weeks. For example by agreeing a rent payment holiday, a temporary reduced rent, or for me to differ my payments and agreeing an affordable repayment plan when the crisis is over. [you can keep in all options, or chose just one or make a specific proposal to your landlord here] You probably already know, but in case not, I understand that if you have a mortgage for the property then you can ask your lender for a payment holiday until 31 March 2021, and some may offer payment holidays as part of your contract with them after this date too. https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/mortgages-coronavirus-consumers I know that the government and the courts have given some protection for tenants, meaning that most evictions cannot be enforced until 31 May 2021, but I don’t want to just wait until the emergency protection ends and I want to do all I can to try keep you informed, to reach an agreement and avoid the risk of eviction in the future. Please contact me by e-mail. [e-mail is best as you then have a record of your landlord’s response, but alternatively you can invite a response by telephone and confirm the agreement by text] Take care and keep well. Yours sincerely [your name] |
If your income has dropped as a result of losing your employment or reduced hours make sure that you report the change to Universal Credit or the Housing Benefit Department as soon as possible as the help you receive towards your rent should increase.
You may also be able to get extra rent by applying for Discretionary Housing Payments:
DHPs provide additional help for people who are struggling with their rent and receive either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit because they are unemployed or on a low income.
Central government gives money to local councils to make the payments and councils can also add in money for DHPs from their own budget.
If you receive some help with your rent from Universal Credit or Housing Benefit but don’t receive the full amount you can apply for regular extra payments.
This can help if:
You can also claim DHPs to help with a lump sum payment for arrears (so long as you were receiving some Universal Credit or Housing Benefit at the time your arrears built up).
A lot of the reasons the government used to justified the Bedroom Tax, Benefit Cap, and other cuts to low income families do not apply during the COVID-19 crisis (if they ever did) this is because:
However the government has not suspended these measures for renters during COVID-19.
So far the only assistance they have given to people claiming Universal Credit or Housing Benefit is:
If these changes are not enough to help you cover your rent payments in full then claiming a DHP (even if you have been refused before) may be your best option for avoiding rent arrears and avoiding the risk of eviction in the future.
Whether to make an award of DHP, or how much to award, is left to the Council. It is therefore important that you give them as much information as possible to show why you need help and why a DHP is the only option.
Bolton : https://selfserve.bolton.gov.uk/citizenportal/form.aspx?form=HB_DHP_FORM
Bury : https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10992
Manchester: https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/200008/benefits_and_support/1342/discretionary_housing_payments/3
Rochdale: http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/council-tax-benefits-and-money/Pages/help-with-housing-costs.aspx
Salford: https://www.salford.gov.uk/benefits/discretionary-housing-payments/
Stockport: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/housing-benefit-discretionary-payments
Tameside:https://www.tameside.gov.uk/Benefits/Discretionary-Housing-Payments
Trafford:https://trafford-framework.egovhub.net/DISCRETIONARYPAYMENTS/launch
You will need:
You can use our draft income and expenditure breakdown to help you. Click here for a blank template to fill in or here for an example we’ve completed for you as a guide.
Get legal advice as soon as possible if you apply for a DHP and are refused.