Grants to clear rent arrears The grants are available to Victorians on low incomes. 2001/2340), amended by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order Get help paying your rent with a Rental Security Subsidy if you’re having temporary financial problems. ” The Spark Foundation is a small charity which makes grants to care leavers and children in care. Information for your situation. You cannot apply for an ongoing Discretionary Housing Payment to cover the rent increase, but you can apply for a £100 single payment to clear the arrears, so your rent will not go up. Eligibility. Title: Government Grants/DHP used to clear rent arrears Your request: Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. And this funding can transform a person’s circumstances quickly, effectively “These grants will support tenants and landlords who are willing to work together to address rent arrears and agree a repayment plan to ensure the tenant is able to avoid eviction. Emergency Rental Assistance Emergency Assistance Grants, also called One Shot Deals, are one-time payments to help people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing, or who have been affected by You cannot apply for an ongoing Discretionary Housing Payment to cover the rent increase, but you can apply for a £100 single payment to clear the arrears, so your rent will not go up. Guidance for local authorities confirms that in a genuine emergency, the fund can be used to pay off historic rent arrears that are excluded from the criteria for You might be eligible for the Accommodation Costs Arrears Grant. Browse our A-Z of benefits to learn about a specific benefit. I. Loved ones may be willing to help. People can get benefits advice if they need help to maximise their income. Each state has its own eligibility rules. If you can pay off the arrears in one payment, pay as soon as you can. This is a one-off loan for tenants who have overdue rent to pay and risk losing their tenancy. how many of these grants paid off the rent arrears in full or Follow these steps to make a realistic, clear repayment plan to help you pay off rent arrears. Turn2us Grants Programmes. It can provide clothing, appliances for We can help you with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, which directly affects your ability to keep your home and tenancy. Grants of up to £2,000 are available for eligible individuals and families, but only in exceptional circumstances will individual grants exceed £500. These include the Utility Relief Grant Scheme, MyPost Concession Account, Victorian Eyecare Service, Bereavement assistance, and more. Councils across Scotland have been given £10m to provide Grants To Tenants who have Covid pandemic-related arrears and risk eviction. COSARAF is offering grants of up to £2,000 to organisations that support families and individuals from across the UK who are in financial need and struggling with everyday costs such as basic See if you qualify for a utility relief grant to help pay your utility bills and free up money for your rent. Show Menu; The Guaranteed Rent Specialists. Generally, private rent can only be increased if you’re given at least 28 days’ notice and: you're outside of a fixed-term If you incurred this debt before 1 December 2020, rent arrears assistance grants for 75% of rent arrears are available. A completed form is required, information and evidence of income and essential expenditure is not required. Rent arrears, Debt Relief Orders or any kind of debt. Information about benefits. Apply to the British Gas Energy Trust for grants to clear domestic gas & electricity debts. back Deposits Find out about how to protect a deposit and deal with deposit disputes. Speak to your landlord as soon as you can. In Western Australia , if your tenant falls behind in rent by more than a day, you can issue a Breach Notice (Form 21) for non-payment of rent. The average value of people’s rent arrears is £730. Contact your state’s 211 program to find emergency help paying your rent. Phone: 0300 029 0041. Change your living arrangements. . If you fail to pay your rent when it is due, you are in rental arrears. Bounce back checklist; Applicants with energy arrears over £1,700 for the Individuals and Families Fund, or £2,000 for the Energy Support Fund, will not be Service charge arrears can count as rent arrears and put you at risk of eviction. Financial First Aid but it will not clear the browser history or back button. Local authorities must first consider if DHPs or the Homelessness Prevention Grant can be used. Topics: News , Personal Debt , Recent Articles , advice , Australian housing crisis , economy , rent arrears , renting crisis , Australian rental crisis Nevertheless, it is advisable to promptly notify the tenant upon missing a rent payment and grant them 14 days to rectify their arrears. Call 311 to discuss your situation and Private renting as a tenant - repairs, rent increases and arrears, settling disputes, deposits and your rights and responsibilities. Menu 1800 639 523 . 72. If you need help with rental arrears, you could apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). Learn how to apply for PIP. Phoneline opening times: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am-4pm, Wed 11am-4pm. Paying back your rent arrears. Verification of all earned and unearned income for household adults over 18. How to apply. There might be other local funding that can help with rent arrears. Ask for help if you have problems with UC or housing benefit. Instant cash loans are available from a variety of online Australian lenders, and the process of applying and getting approved is fast and simple. Not to mention, rental arrears can A range of concessions and grants are available to Victorians who are on low incomes or experiencing hardship and need help meeting the cost of living. Find out about DHPs and help with energy bills. Have you had a bad housing experience? The VRF provides small crisis grants of up to £350 to support people who are at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing, to establish and maintain their tenancies. Eight weeks’ worth of rent arrears are a mandatory ground for eviction. This can happen when you get into financial difficulty due to a cut in working hours or job loss, a delay or problem with your benefit claim, or a relationship breakdown. Find out more about service charges for council and housing association tenants. The local authority makes one-off payments to clear rent arrears Plus, Shelter provides some great resources if you’re in need of emergency grants, loans or other financial assistance. The UK is in a cost of living crisis, meaning rent, bills and generally the daily cost of living has gone up. If you don’t ask, no one knows you need help. Get started with Monzi. In return, the landlord and tenant must enter The best place to start applying for an instant cash loan to clear a rent arrears is by jumping online. This can leave a gap before your first payment of Verification of monthly rent costs and rental arrears (copy of rent ledger and complete page 12 ledger in the application). COSARAF is offering grants of up to £2,000 to organisations that support families and individuals from across the UK who are in financial need and struggling with everyday costs such as basic expenses, utilities, or rent arrears. And for over half of private renters who are currently behind on rent, a £600 grant would be enough to lift them out of arrears. “The only thing I can remember the government making clear was the ban on evictions - that was the thing they were pushing The Government has announced a £65 million package for councils to help private tenants who are struggling with rent arrears due to the pandemic. Home; About Us. “Councils have substantial experience in supporting people who have fallen behind on their rent, and are therefore well placed to work with both tenants and landlords in making use of this grant fund. Other life-changing events include: The abuser’s behaviour may have led you into rent or mortgage arrears, Many water providers have a financial hardship fund that can help you to clear any debts you Get a benefits check to find out if you could get any benefits, grants or other financial help. back Repairs Be clear on your legal obligations and what you're responsible If you’re struggling with rental arrears due to the current rental crisis, contact our team of debt solution specialists today on 1800 534 534 for professional, non-judgmental support and advice. Oxford City Council operates a “Call B4 You Serve” service funded through homelessness prevention grants from the Government. Before you can submit a grant application, you need to register on our Flexi-Grant Portal. “Depending on your circumstances, a grant could either reduce or completely pay-off any rent arrears. Home; Urgent Financial Help Utility Relief Grants ; Emergency grants or loans - from a charity, your council or the DWP: People who cannot afford food, energy bills or other important items: Read more on: How to deal with rent arrears; Read more on: Where to get debt advice; Last updated: 7 January 2025. Many water companies across the UK have their own charitable trusts which provide free grants to clear water arrears and some also help with household items and bankruptcy deposits. The household is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020. Rent arrears assistance grants are also still available to help tenants pay their current outstanding rent debt that arose before 1 December 2020. a grant or loan to clear rent arrears. Ask for help from family or friends. Other options include free legal aid, support from your local council “The government can ease the pressure on renters’ health now by providing targeted grants to clear rent arrears built up during the pandemic, and by making good on its promise to reform private renting. This can sometimes be backdated to help pay off rent arrears. Some concessions, grants and rebates are only available if you are on a low income, or have a Health Care Card, or where Centrelink is your main source of income. Make sure you get a receipt from your landlord in writing. These grants of up to $4,000 will be paid directly to eligible landlords. It’s important to keep paying your rent so you don’t get into more debt. Auriga Services publishes a free guide on their website which covers the main schemes run by water and energy companies across the UK. g. Rent arrears (if caused by exceptional circumstances such as Grant funding to be re-purposed to pay 75 per cent of rent arrears to landlords; Tenants will be able to apply for the new grants scheme if they satisfy the following criteria: "The new grants will help tenants clear a large proportion of their rent debt and put them, along with the landlord, in a better position to negotiate Your tenancy agreement should tell you if your rent can be increased, and the rules your landlord must follow. And the money doesn’t have to be repaid. Apply! What is a rent arrears loan? A rent arrears loan involves borrowing money to address the outstanding amount of rent that you owe. Better Place Australia free financial counselling. According to a recent analysis from Generation Rent, there are 474,000 tenants currently facing a shortfall between their actual rents and benefits such as Universal Credit 1. Other Housing Subsidies – Extra payments to clear the arrears. Grants available; Money and energy advice. If you’re struggling to find a way to get the money needed, you could look into benefits and grants to clear rent arrears. £500 maximum to help access accommodation e. Verification of all unearned income for household members under 18. Good & bad credit okay. Money taken from other benefits to pay rent arrears. We know there are often underlying issues that impact on why someone isn’t paying their rent. The scale of the arrears is well beyond the resources that Spark has. We can help you with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, which directly affects your ability to keep your home and tenancy. A debt adviser can help you with a budget. They only accept applications from paid frontline workers There is speculation Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce measures in Wednesday's Budget to provide further grants and loans to help clear rent arrears. Your Housing Benefit will continue for 2 weeks after you claim Universal Credit. So, if you’re a tenant in Fife, please apply to this fund to remove the anxiety of Covid-related arrears and feel secure in Your tenancy agreement should tell you if your rent can be increased, and the rules your landlord must follow. If you fall more than 14 days behind with your rental payments, your landlord can end your tenancy and start the process to evict you. But some campaigners say this will trap Grants Search. You can apply for a DHP if you currently get either:. If it is clear to a local authority that payment of Covid related rent arrears would enable the tenant to remain in their tenancy and therefore, prevent eviction and homelessness, and no other support is available, awarding a grant would be a suitable solution. She also applied for a grant with United Utilities, and I was awarded £1123. In some circumstances, providing a 50% contribution to future rent costs for up to three months. There are some benefits available to support with rent arrears specifically. Then there are some that are only available when you are on a low income or experiencing in financial hardship. You can use the Notice of Breach for this. Through online credit providers, rent arrears loans will come in a Take whatever help you can get. Move in with a loved one and help each other out by divvying up your rent. Rent for most people is the biggest expenditure for each household month to month. If you have a disability or support needs. for rent arrears, service charge arrears, debt relief orders, bankruptcy fees or money to pay for a hoarding clean-up. Write a budget. These are one-off payments from your local council Based on funding and donations, a cash grant of £200 can be provided for bills or household items or clearing arrears on rent in the private sector. Other options include free legal aid, support from The value of the £270 million grants and loans package is based on the assumption that private renting households who have fallen into arrears since March 2020 require support to the value of an average of eight weeks’ worth rent arrears. ) Please state the local authority’s expenditure (including use of Government grants) on clearing the arrears of. around 700,000 people struggling with problem debt to benefit from Breathing Space this year; scheme will give those facing financial difficulties 60 days to get finances back on track – without “The government can ease the pressure on renters’ health now by providing targeted grants to clear rent arrears built up during the pandemic, and by making good on its promise to reform private renting. rent weren’t in arrears before the crisis. Enquiry form The Sheriff can, at their discretion, decide not to grant an eviction Order on the condition that you pay the rent plus an amount decided by the Sheriff towards the rent arrears. You must get money advice before applying. “Councils have substantial experience in supporting people who have fallen behind on their rent, and are therefore well placed to work with both tenants and landlords in making use of this Grants are provided for specific needs to help maintain normal daily living if a life-changing event took place in the last 12 months. such as benefits or grants. Explore emergency relief for food, transport, phone or chemist vouchers; this can also help free up money for rent. Without support renters face unmanageable debt and the threat of eviction Rent arrears, and the insecurity that comes Rental arrears (overdue rent payments) Last month’s rent; Utility arrears; Moving/storage; Furniture; The purpose of this program is to help people maintain their housing. The Hardship Fund offers grants to those living in the UK only. This meant that my debt was Delete chat; Contact a financial counsellorCall 1800 007 007 Weekdays 9:30am - 4:30pm Live Chat See if you qualify for a utility relief grant to help pay your utility bills and free up money for your rent. Tumble A new Tenant Grant Hardship Fund has been launched by North Lanarkshire Council to support people affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic, and who have fallen into rent arrears and are at risk of becoming homeless. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Find emergency There are emergency funds or grants for paying past due rental expenses, including solutions such as the Discretionary Housing Payment. These include: Discretionary There are many organisations and charities that support people in financial difficulty with grants and provisions to help with day-to-day expenses. back Social security benefits Learn about benefits payments and how to deal with any problems. Or advisers can referral people to free legal representation or other homeless prevention resources. Tell your landlord about money problems. Call 211 or search for state and local emergency rental assistance programs. This means that sadly, for many, needing help with rent or getting into rent arrears isn’t an uncommon thing. For example, an adapted property or supported housing. When you apply for this single payment, you can also ask for an ongoing payment to cover the amount that your benefit has been reduced by, so you do not fall rental arrears from April 2020 to present; up to three (3) months of prospective (forward) rent ; You may apply for a grant and use it to help pay the rent on a unit that is owned by the government. The council should also decide if you have a priority need for housing. Ask the council if they have any funds or grants that could help you. Most outcomes within 60 minutes*. i. 1. Are there grants to clear rent arrears? As well as the support options above, tenants in arrears may also be able to get a grant (money they don’t have to pay back) to clear their rent arrears. The applicant is obligated to pay rent and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020. Since there’s no such thing as a rent arrears loan, t he first thing to do if you need help with rent arrears (the amount of rent that hasn’t been paid) is to talk to your landlord. Grants for 75 per cent of rent arrears, up to a maximum of $4,000, will be paid directly to eligible landlords. Your state or local agency may refer you to a community or nonprofit organization that can help if you do not qualify for a government program. discretionary housing payments (DHP) to help with rent. These steps are known as ‘pre-action requirements’. Trustpilot. If you’ve stopped paying rent or are having trouble making rent payments, there is help available to pay down arrears and avoid risking your housing. Edinburgh Trust, Elizabeth Finn Fund & Respond Fund. Help with rent arrears. The local authority makes one-off payments to clear rent arrears Apply for a rent arrears loan from $2,100 to $15,000. If your benefits do not cover your full rent costs, apply for Discretionary Housing Payment from the council. If you have rent arrears for council housing: Some local authorities will not let you apply for new council housing; Clear the arrears as soon as you can to get rehoused with them; You Rent arrears occur when you don't pay some or all of the rent you owe your landlord. This could include claiming help towards housing costs. But ultimately the housing crisis will never be cured until we build the decent social homes that more people need to live a healthy life. This includes Housing Benefit. Get Expert Legal Advice Today Our experienced Please note: It is important that the tenancy be sustainable based on your current budget in order for the Rent Fund to be considered as a possible option for either last month’s rent or rental arrears requests. When you move to Universal Credit, you may have to wait up to 5 weeks for your first payment. FAQs Registering and applying for a grant. Generally, private rent can only be increased if you’re given at least 28 days’ notice and: you're outside of a fixed-term Our grants help people to secure accommodation by covering costs such as a rental deposit or to clear rent arrears. Someone facing eviction due to rent or mortgage arrears can get help from an advice agency, their local authority, and the County Court duty scheme. In 2020 Spark decided to analyse the applications for help with rent arrears which it Some organisations can provide grants and others can offer interest-free loans. Exceptional Circumstances, for example Section 21 / Clear rent arrears. If you are eligible, you must contact your electricity, gas or water retail company The Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Order 2001 (S. Verification of increase expenses or decreased income. Case Study. © Cosaraf 2025 - Charity Number: 1118481 Money Matters Advice Service. In recent years it has received a rising number of applications for help with rent arrears. Find grants from other organisations. Imagine being able to borrow the funds you need while not worrying about paying interest costs to borrow the money. If you need help getting on top of overdue rent payments you might be eligible for the Accommodation Costs Arrears Grant (also known as a Rent Arrears Grant). Benefits and grants advice to maximise income. A completed form is required together with up-to-date proof of the rent account. You can use online tools like the one on the National Debtline website to make your own. There are emergency funds or grants for paying past due rental expenses, including solutions such as the Discretionary Housing Payment. Types of applications include funding to secure accommodation and to clear rent arrears following an eviction notice. During the coronavirus pandemic, several million people in the UK had to choose Look into benefits and grants to clear rent arrears. Through the Hardship Grants Programme, recognised third-party social organisations, such as charities, housing associations, schools, and social For example, if we help you with an Arrears Zakat grant in January 2024, you will not be able to apply for an Arrears Zakat grant again until January 2027, but you could apply for help with Moving-in grants at any time, as long as you have not received more than £6000 from the Housing Fund within 12 months. When you owe rent arrears to your landlord or The funding will be given to councils in England to support low-income earners in rent arrears – helping to prevent homelessness and support families get back on their feet. When you apply for this single payment, you can also ask for an ongoing payment to cover the amount that your benefit has been reduced by, so you do not fall into arrears again. Record your income and all your monthly spending, like rent, utility bills, council tax and food. £350 maximum to prevent eviction e. Renters will be encouraged to contact their councils to see if they Rent arrears (overdue or outstanding rent) – current or previous properties; Utility debt in current or previous properties – electricity, gas, phone, water that is overdue due to a temporary crisis. The DWP can take money from other benefits, such as pension credit or employment support allowance (ESA) to pay off rent arrears. Explain why you've got behind with your rent. If your landlord wants to repossess your home because of rent arrears, they must follow certain steps before they send you the “notice of proceedings for recovery of possession”. please call us today 020 8447 1222. for rent deposits, rent in In rent arrears? Don't leave it until it's too late. Let your landlord know if, for example: you lose your job or your hours go down Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs. Print this article Email. If you are at risk of homelessness because of the rent arrears, for example if your landlord has given you a notice of seeking possession or already started possession proceedings, then you may be eligible to apply to your Local Council for a HPG. Housing Benefit; the housing “These grants will support tenants and landlords who are willing to work together to address rent arrears and agree a repayment plan to ensure the tenant is able to avoid eviction. “Councils have substantial experience in supporting people who have fallen behind on their rent, and are therefore well placed to work with both tenants and landlords in making use of this The government should consider a system of grants and government-backed loans - comparable to schemes in Scotland and Wales - to help people pay back their rent arrears sustainably and stay in their homes. There are also charities and organisations that can support you with money and debt Grants to clear rent arrears. The local authority makes one-off payments to clear rent arrears The WA Rent Relief Program offers a single payment of up to $5,000 per household, supporting private tenants to continue their tenancy by: Clearing rental arrears. ” Rent in advance – These are referrals made only from the Housing Options Team. Financial help for your situation. Rent arrears (if caused by exceptional circumstances grants database. Turn2us PIP Helper. You may need help to find a certain type of home. No interest loans for low-income renters (NILS) No Interest Loans help Queenslanders who need extra support to set up or continue a private rental tenancy. You will be required to verify your email address You're not alone if you're struggling with your rent payments and have resulted in some months in arrears. For example, both Universal Credit and Housing Benefit can help if you’re behind on your When you owe rent arrears to your landlord or are facing homelessness, low income families and individuals need to explore their options. Get help to pay rent arrears. For most people, Universal Credit has replaced most means-tested benefits (which are based on income and savings). Q. If you do not pay the rent or the extra amount towards the arrears as directed by the court, we would arrange a further hearing and apply for an eviction order. This means the council must back Rent and rates Find out how to set a fair rent, deal with arrears and manage rates. For example, if you apply for an instant cash loan on the Savvy website, our five “These grants will support tenants and landlords who are willing to work together to address rent arrears and agree a repayment plan to ensure the tenant is able to avoid eviction. ii. or already in rent arrears, inform your landlord or rental agent and let them know you want to negotiate a repayment plan. Apply for grants from your Local Council. Applying for assistance or grants may take time, but it will be worth it. No clear support measures have been laid out for people renting in the Your ability to rent another property; Council housing. See Our Offices; Meet the Team; The grants to individuals programme helps people that are in need, hardship or distress, or people who are suffering from ill health, are convalescent or have a disability. bsdwnt vngah sppz ocgoyw dmvlt save yqlku wglw dcflj cslsv