If you cannot pay your rent
If you miss rent payments you'll owe your landlord money. This is called being in 'rent arrears'.
Your landlord could evict you if you fall behind with your rent. You could lose your home.
Get help as soon as possible.
Talk to your landlord
Talk to your landlord as soon as possible if you miss rent payments.
If you live in private rented housing
Talk to your landlord about what you can afford.
They must make reasonable efforts to agree a repayment plan with you.
They're more likely to be sympathetic if they know you're trying to pay back the money you owe.
If you live in social housing
If you live in a housing association or council house, contact your landlord. You’ll get advice on:
- agreeing a reasonable plan to pay your arrears
- claiming any benefits, grants or other money you may be entitled to
- where to go for help with money and debt
How to contact your landlord
If you live in a housing association house, you can find the contact details of your landlord on the Scottish Housing Regulator's website.
Not all councils have council housing. If you live in the Glasgow City Council area, you can find the Housing Associations in your area on the Glasgow City Council website.
If you live in a council house in any other area, visit your local council’s website to get rent arrears advice.
Benefits to help with housing costs
You could get:
Universal Credit
If you're on a low income, it can pay for all or part of your rent. How much you get depends on your income and circumstances.
Apply for Universal Credit on GOV.UK.
Housing Benefit
You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you're either:
- of state pension age
- living in sheltered, supported, or temporary housing
Find out more about Housing Benefit.
Discretionary Housing Payment
You may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment if you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and still cannot afford to pay your rent.
Find out more about Discretionary Housing Payment.
Check what benefits you could get
Check you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to.
Use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get.
Get free debt and money advice
Check where to get free advice.
You can also get information and advice about dealing with rent arrears from:
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback