What happens if I do not pay my rent?

If you are behind with your rent payments, action will be taken which could lead to you being evicted. However, this is the last resort and we will try to reach a suitable repayment arrangement with you before taking steps to evict you.

We will offer you money advice to sort out any problems you have in paying your rent, but if we have tried to help and you have still not paid, we will start legal proceedings against you.

Court Action (Possession Proceedings)

The first stage in legal proceedings is a Notice of Seeking Possession. The notice advises you of the outstanding arrears and how we plan to take you to court if the arrears are not cleared.

If you continue not to make rent payments or make suitable repayment arrangements with us, it will lead to a court hearing.  At this stage, you are at serious risk of losing your home.  At the hearing, we will ask for:

• a Suspended Possession Order, so you can clear the arrears by agreed instalments; or
• a Possession Order, in which the court orders you to give up possession of your home unless you clear the arrears in full.

If you stop making the payments agreed under a Suspended Possession Order, we can apply to the court for a warrant for your eviction.

You can contact us at any time to prevent action being taken against you. REMEMBER: the problem will not go away, the longer you leave it the more serious the situation becomes.

If you are having problems paying your rent you can get confidential adviceNOW. We have experienced staff who are here to help you, not to judge you, and we can refer you to a free independent money advisor.

There are other independent advice agencies who can advise you on your money and debt problems.  See our Money and Debt Advice page.