As the cost-of-living crisis continues to have a UK-wide impact, some tenants can’t afford the rent and may struggle to meet their monthly utility payments.
If you’re a tenant and finding it hard to make ends meet at the moment, the first thing to know is that you’re not alone, and secondly, there is a lot of help available. What’s important is that you address the situation as soon as possible before you fall into rent arrears, as that could lead to eviction, and that’s not a good situation for either you or your landlord.
To help you find out what options are available and work out the best way forward, here are seven steps to follow:
1. Speak to your landlord or managing agent
If you think you might not be able to make a full rent payment, speak to your landlord or managing agent – don’t wait until your rent is overdue. Most are reasonable if you’re upfront about a problem, and you can discuss how to move forward in a way that works for everyone.
2. Is it a temporary or longer-term problem?
Be honest about your situation: is this a temporary financial blip, or is it likely an ongoing affordability issue? Most landlords are happy to help a good tenant through a rough patch, particularly if renting long-term, so some sort of “payment plan” can sometimes be agreed upon.
3. Do you need to move somewhere cheaper?
If you can no longer afford to rent your current home, you may need to find a cheaper property. As long as your tenancy is no longer within a fixed term, you should usually be able to give one month’s notice to leave.
Your landlord may agree to release you early if you’re still within a fixed term. Commonly, landlords insist that tenants pay rent as per their contract until a new tenant moves in, but if you are already in financial difficulty, you may be able to negotiate with your agent or landlord.
4. Mediation can help if you find yourself in a tricky position
Suppose you’re having trouble communicating with your agent or landlord or feel they aren’t being reasonable. In that case, you can contact Citizens Advice to find out what mediation services are available in your area.
5. Can you access any government support via Help for Households?
If you’re receiving government benefits or are on a low income and want to find out if you’re entitled to any financial support, visit the Help for Households website. It has details of all the support available to help with the cost of living and some tips on how to save your energy bills.
6. Could you earn extra income or reduce your expenditure?
Assuming you want to stay in your home, it’s worth carefully reviewing your monthly expenditure to see if you could cut back anywhere, even temporarily, to help you afford your rent. On the other hand, could you earn more income? For example, if you work office hours, Monday to Friday, could you take on some work in the evenings or at weekends to make ends meet, particularly if this is just a short-term affordability issue? This could be doing something you love, such as working at a local gym or pub or getting paid to do something you enjoy.
If you have concerns about falling behind with your rent, speak to your agent or landlord as soon as possible about resolving the situation – and you can visit the Citizens Advice website for information on dealing with arrears.
By Emma Wells, Managing Director Lettings (North), Leaders Romans Group