Talk to your landlord the right way, protect essentials (council tax & utilities), and calm other debts with one affordable plan (DMP · IVA · DRO) so your rent stays on track.
Start Free CheckFalling behind on rent—often called rent arrears (sometimes searched as “rent arears”)—can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help you steady things quickly: communicate with your landlord the right way, protect household essentials like utilities and council tax, and build a plan you can actually keep. Where you also have other debts—credit cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues or BNPL—we’ll help you roll them into one affordable payment or an appropriate formal route like an IVA or a DRO if eligible, so your rent becomes genuinely manageable.
This guide focuses on UK renters and explains what to do this week, how to talk to your landlord or agent, which bills to prioritise, how Breathing Space might help, and how to stop pressure from other creditors while you stabilise housing.
Quick win cluster queries we answer here: “how many weeks before eviction for rent arrears”, “can UC pay rent direct to landlord”, “DHP for rent arrears”, “rent arrears letter template”, “Breathing Space private landlord”.
Free Eligibility CheckRent arrears are unpaid rent that’s due under your tenancy agreement. Even a one-month shortfall counts. If you’ve missed multiple payments, the arrears can climb quickly and strain relations with your landlord or letting agent.
Stabilise essentials and open a line of communication with your landlord. Then shape a realistic plan—one you can keep paying next month, not just this month.
Private landlords often rely on Section 8 grounds for “serious arrears” (typically 2+ months’ arrears) to start court action. The exact notices and timelines vary by tenancy and nation. The earlier you propose a credible plan, the more options you have to prevent escalation. See independent housing law guides for the legal route, and use our plan below to keep things out of court.
Prioritise My BillsWe anchor your plan around the household bills that protect your home and basic living standards. That order makes negotiations with landlords more successful.
Credit cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogues often accept reduced or paused interest charges within a DMP, or can be wrapped into an IVA where suitable. Calming these outgoings creates room to pay rent and maintain a catch-up schedule.
Preview a sustainable monthly figure in the Debt Calculator. We’ll turn this into a clear plan for your landlord and other creditors.
If you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, your local council can consider a DHP to help with shortfalls or arrears. We’ll help you prioritise evidence (budget, arrears timeline, vulnerability, housing risk) for a stronger application.
Protect Essentials NowMost landlords want steady, predictable payments. A short, honest message plus a budget-backed proposal usually lands best.
We help you present a defensible plan backed by a clear budget so agents and landlords can see the logic.
Breathing Space can pause most enforcement for eligible debts and give you time to organise a longer-term fix. We’ll explain when it’s appropriate for your situation and how it interacts with private landlords or letting agents.
Even during a pause, we keep landlords updated and move the plan forward so nothing stalls.
Where eligible debts qualify, the scheme can limit most enforcement while you stabilise your budget. We’ll explain what’s paused and what still requires payment (like ongoing rent) so you avoid new arrears.
Check EligibilityRent arrears often grow because other debts are shouting louder. By calming those via a single monthly payment, you can keep rent and living costs steady.
Debt Management Plan (DMP) — flexible and informal; many creditors reduce or freeze interest/charges.
IVA — formal and legally binding; one contribution for a fixed term, with strong protection from most creditor action.
DRO — for lower income/low assets; strict eligibility, but powerful where it fits.
See Compare Solutions to understand differences, then ask for a tailored recommendation.
Fewer moving parts, fewer surprises—and a rent plan that survives real life.
Many do within a DMP if offers are fair and budget-backed. We’ll present a single, consistent plan so rent remains priority and interest/charges are minimised where possible.
See If I QualifyWe commonly see rent arrears alongside other priority pressures. Fixing them together reduces risk.
We’ll build a plan that protects the roof over your head and tackles each priority with a calm, consistent approach.
We’ll help explore DHPs, UC “managed payments” to landlords where appropriate, and affordable arrears contributions so you keep your tenancy stable.
Protect My PrioritiesIf non-priority debts have already reached collectors, don’t panic. Start with What is debt collection? and use our step-by-step tips to Stop Debt Collectors. For common firms, see: Lowell, Cabot, Moorcroft, Advantis, Link Financial, Capquest, Wescot, Resolvecall, Hoist, Robinson Way, Fredrickson, Moriarty Law, Drydensfairfax, and PRA Group.
We channel contact through a budget-backed plan, so essentials (including rent) come first and contact pressure drops.
Save letters, emails and call notes. It speeds up resolving disputes and keeps your plan on track.
If you owe your bank and have an overdraft or card with them, consider switching your income to a basic account elsewhere to prevent set-off while you stabilise rent.
Calm Collectors NowList how much is owed, the usual due date, and any notices you’ve received. Note your landlord/agent’s preferred contact method and any historic agreements.
Use the Debt Calculator to map income and essentials. We’ll refine it with headroom for a rent catch-up amount you can keep paying.
Send a short, written plan: current rent + small arrears contribution, with a review point. In parallel, calm other debts via DMP/IVA/DRO where suitable.
Small, reliable payments and regular updates earn cooperation—big promises that break do not.
Don’t ignore it. We’ll help you respond fast with a credible budget, proposal and any supporting evidence (benefit claims pending, DHP application, medical or vulnerability factors).
Build My PlanSkim this page plus Compare Solutions and Breathing Space.
Share a few details so we can reach you and map your picture quickly. Open the JotForm
A calm conversation to clarify priorities, especially rent and other essentials.
We list arrears across rent, council tax, utilities and other debts, and identify immediate risks.
Agree a figure with headroom so your plan survives real life. Preview with the Debt Calculator.
We refine your route (DMP, IVA, DRO where eligible) and organise communications.
Use our reference number with creditors; where suitable, Breathing Space helps while setup completes.
Start in 2 MinutesNo. Many landlords accept small, regular arrears contributions—if your budget is clear and your plan is realistic. We’ll help you present that.
A DMP or IVA typically covers non-priority debts (cards, loans, overdrafts, catalogues). Calming those frees room to pay rent and maintain your arrears plan. We’ll structure both sides so they work together.
We build in headroom and set review points. Your plan should survive quieter months, not just the good ones.
Debt solutions can affect credit. But housing stability comes first. We’ll explain the trade-offs before you choose a route.
It’s better to contact them with a budget-backed proposal than to go silent. We’ll draft the message with you.
Breathing Space can pause most enforcement for eligible debts. We’ll check suitability and explain how it interacts with your tenancy and arrears.
We handle priorities together: rent, council tax, and utilities. A joined-up plan reduces risk and stress.
Managed payments (sometimes called APAs) can be set up in certain situations (for example, if arrears reach roughly two months or where there’s vulnerability). We’ll explain the pros/cons and how it fits your plan.
It’s one you can maintain after essentials. We’ll use the Debt Calculator plus your evidence to set a figure and review date, so trust builds over time.
Ask us directly and get a personalised answer fast.
Ask a SpecialistUnderstanding creditor behaviour helps you stand firm. See: Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds and Capital One. We’ll make fair, defensible offers that keep your rent plan on track.
Every offer must match your budget—credibility builds cooperation from all sides.
By channelling everything through a single plan, you reduce noise and regain control faster.
We’ll help cancel continuous payment authorities where appropriate and route payments through a stable budget so rent stays protected.
Get Help NowWhen you’re ready, we’re ready—on your terms and timeline.
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