Cost of living challenges and changes in employment income can sometimes make it difficult to maintain rental payments. Additional benefits and support may be available on a short or longer-term basis to help ensure tenancies are kept on track.
Accessing housing support for the first time
If you are about to apply you may find the following useful to give you an understanding of Universal Credit and support with housing costs:
Benefit calculators can provide an indication of how much you may receive (please use the findings as a rough guide only):
Already in receipt of housing support
If you are struggling to pay your rent and/or moving costs and you already have an active Universal Credit claim, you may be able to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). This is granted for a limited period only (normally no longer than three months), as a short-term measure to assist with the payment of rent whilst alternative, more affordable housing is sought.
If you think you need to apply, do so as soon as possible as it may take a while to process your claim:
Rent arrears
If you are falling into rent arrears, it is worth addressing the arrears as soon as possible by reaching out to your landlord or agent. They are likely to appreciate your openness and honesty and may be willing to arrange a payment plan. This may mean you start to clear the arrears by paying an agreed additional amount on top of your usual monthly rent, until all the arrears have been paid. This arrangement can be put in writing, and signed by you and the landlord.
Shelter offers some useful advice on handling rent arrears (external link) and how to best approach your landlord.
Eviction grounds for rent arrears
From May 1st 2026, the following will apply in respect of private rented assured tenancies:
Ground 8 for rent arrears - where rent is payable weekly or fortnightly, it must be in arrears of 13 weeks before a Section 8 notice can be served. Where rent is payable monthly, it must be in arrears by 3 months before a Section 8 notice can be served. The Section 8 notice is four weeks long. Once the four weeks has expired you will be expected to vacate the property. If you haven’t vacated the property on the expiry date, the landlord can apply to the court to get a possession order.
If you are unsure whether the eviction notice you have received is valid, you can contact the Council’s Tenancy Relations Service for advice - Report an issue with a private rented tenancy.
Here for You
See our Here for You pages for advice and support if you are struggling with debt or how to manage your money.