Rent arrears are priority debts. If you have rent arrears on a property you live in, it’s important to contact the landlord or letting agency quickly to offer a way to repay what you owe. If you don’t do this, you’re at risk of eviction.
If you’re looking to rent with arrears on a previous property, you might find it difficult for a landlord to rent to you. There’s also the possibility that court action will be taken against you to recover what you owe.
If you're struggling to rent a property, your landlord or letting agent may agree to you using a rent guarantor who would be responsible for paying any arrears.
Recent changes to eviction laws
Normally, your landlord would have to give you up to two months' notice to evict you. However, due to coronavirus, this has been extended to six months.
- If you were given notice of eviction between 26 March 2020 and 28 August 2020, you now have three months to leave the property
- If you are given notice after 29 August 2020, you now have six months to leave the property. However you may have to leave sooner, depending on the reason for the eviction
If you live in Wales and were given notice of eviction on or after 24 July 2020, you now have at least six months to leave the property. However, this is reduced to at least three months if you have been served a section 8 notice for antisocial behaviour.
In Scotland, the ban on evictions has provisionally been extended until March 2021.
If you're worried you may be at threat from eviction, contact Shelter or consider getting free debt advice.
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