What help is there if I am behind with my rent?

For tenants in England who are behind with their rent.

Applies to: England Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

If you are behind with your rent, act early. There are deadlines in the eviction process and help you can ask for.

A private landlord in England can only use the mandatory rent arrears ground if you owe at least 3 months' rent (13 weeks if you pay weekly or fortnightly).
For rent arrears grounds, your landlord must give at least 4 weeks' notice.
If you get Universal Credit, your landlord can ask for your housing costs to be paid to them directly once arrears reach 2 months.
Breathing Space can pause action from creditors for up to 60 days in England and Wales. You apply through a debt adviser.
Your council must help if you may become homeless within 8 weeks.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Wales: Check gov.wales for Wales
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Mandatory ground: 3 months' arrears
4 weeks' notice for arrears grounds
Breathing Space: up to 60 days
Council help within 8 weeks

Deadlines to know (private tenants in England)

4 weeks: the minimum notice a landlord must give on a section 8 notice using a rent arrears ground (grounds 8, 10 or 11).
3 months' rent (13 weeks if you pay weekly or fortnightly): what you must owe for the mandatory ground 8. You must owe this both when the notice is served and at the court hearing.
8 weeks: contact your council as soon as you might become homeless within the next 8 weeks. It must help.
12 months: how long a landlord has to apply to court after giving notice on or after 1 May 2026.

The rent arrears grounds

Ground	When it applies	Court must evict?
Ground 8	At least 3 months' arrears	Yes, if proved
Ground 10	Any amount of arrears	No, the court decides if it is reasonable
Ground 11	You keep paying late	No, the court decides if it is reasonable

Because ground 8 needs 3 months' arrears at the hearing too, paying the debt below that level before the hearing means that ground cannot succeed.

Steps to take now

Talk to your landlord. Explain what has happened and offer a plan you can keep to.
Check your housing costs help. If you claim Universal Credit, make sure the housing part is in your claim.
Get free debt advice. A debt adviser can look at all your debts and, if right for you, apply for Breathing Space. GOV.UK points to MoneyHelper's debt advice locator. Citizens Advice can also help for free.
Contact your council if you could lose your home within 8 weeks.
Do not ignore court papers. Go to the hearing so the judge hears your side.

If you get Universal Credit

Your landlord can ask DWP to pay your housing costs straight to them (a managed payment) once you owe 2 months' rent or more. They can also ask at 1 month if you have built up arrears by underpaying over time.

DWP can also take money from your Universal Credit to pay off arrears. The most it can take is 15% of your standard allowance. For a single person aged 25 or over in 2026/27, that is 15% of £424.90, so up to about £63.74 a month. Other deductions or sanctions can change this.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space lasts up to 60 days (longer if you are getting mental health crisis treatment). Creditors cannot take enforcement action, contact you about the debts or add interest and charges. You must still keep up your payments. You cannot get it if you have used it in the last 12 months, or have a Debt Relief Order, IVA or bankruptcy.

If you miss a deadline

If the court has already decided, it may make a suspended possession order. This lets you stay if you keep to the payments and other terms it sets. It may also make a money order for the arrears. Keep to every payment, and contact your council straight away if you are told to leave.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scotland: a landlord using the ground for rent arrears of 3 or more months in a row must give at least 28 days' notice before going to the First-tier Tribunal.
Wales: Breathing Space applies. Councils can also make Discretionary Housing Payments to help with housing costs.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: homelessness help is run separately, so contact your council or the Housing Executive.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Get help from your council

Common questions

How much rent do I have to owe before I can be evicted?

For the mandatory ground you must owe at least 3 months' rent, both when notice is served and at the hearing. Discretionary grounds can be used for any amount of arrears, but the court decides if eviction is reasonable.

Can money be taken from my Universal Credit to pay arrears?

Yes. Deductions for rent arrears can be up to 15% of your Universal Credit standard allowance.

Does Breathing Space stop me paying rent?

No. You must keep making payments while it is in place, but creditors cannot take action or add interest and charges.

Official sources

1.Guide to the Renters' Rights Actwww.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act
2.Universal Credit and rented housing: guide for landlordswww.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-landlords/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords
3.Breathing Spacewww.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space
4.If you're homeless or at risk of homelessnesswww.gov.uk/if-youre-homeless-at-risk-of-homelessness

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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