Rent arrears

A guide for residents on how social landlords manage rent arrears

Social landlords — including councils and housing associations — follow clear processes when rent arrears build up. This guide explains those steps and where you can find support.

What are rent arrears?

Rent arrears are money you owe your landlord because your rent hasn’t been paid in full or on time. This can include:

Missed rent payments
Unpaid service charges
Debts carried over from a previous tenancy

Tip: If you think you may miss a payment, act early. The sooner you speak to your landlord, the more options you’ll have.

First steps – communication and support

Before taking any legal action, social landlords are expected to work with you to understand the issue and help you manage the arrears. This usually includes:

Contacting you early if a payment is missed
Checking whether you’re entitled to benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Housing Benefit)
Offering affordable repayment plans
Referring you to money or debt-advice services if needed

Tip: Always respond to letters, calls or emails from your landlord. Ignoring them can make the situation worse.

Agreeing a repayment plan

If you can’t pay your full rent, your landlord may suggest a repayment plan.

Key points to remember:

Payments should be based on what you can realistically afford
You must continue paying your ongoing rent as normal
Ask for the agreement in writing so you know exactly what has been agreed

Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP)

If arrears continue to grow and no agreement is reached, your landlord may issue a Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP). This is not an eviction. It is the first formal step in the legal process.

A NOSP will:

Tell you how much you owe
Explain why action is being taken
Give you time (usually at least four weeks) to clear or reduce the arrears

If you make an agreement or reduce the debt during this period, legal action may be paused or stopped.

Going to court

If the arrears aren’t resolved, your landlord can apply to the county court. You will receive:

A claim form with details of what is owed
A date for the hearing, where you can explain your situation

The court may:

Dismiss the case if the arrears have been cleared
Set up a court-ordered repayment plan
Grant an outright possession order (meaning you must leave after a set date)

Tip: Try to attend the hearing. Courts often have a free duty adviser who can support you on the day, although this isn’t guaranteed.

Eviction is the last resort

Eviction only happens if:

Repayment agreements have not been kept
The court has granted possession
You have ignored further warnings

Bailiffs are used only when every other option has failed. Social landlords generally want to avoid eviction wherever possible.

Where to get help

If you’re worried about arrears or facing action, support is available:

Your landlord’s housing officer — first point of contact
Citizens Advice — free, confidential advice
Debt-advice charities such as StepChange or National Debtline
Your council’s housing team if you’re at risk of homelessness

Apply for the Breathing Space scheme

The government Debt Respite Scheme, also known as Breathing Space, gives someone in problem debt the right to legal protection for up to 60 days, including freezing most interest charges on debts.

You must apply for the scheme using a debt advisor.

There are two types of breathing space: