Struggling to Pay Your Rent?

We're here to help and support you

We Understand

We understand that sometimes life can be difficult and you may struggle to pay your rent. Whether it's due to job loss, illness, relationship breakdown, or other financial pressures, we're here to help.

The most important thing is to contact us as soon as possible. The earlier you talk to us, the more we can do to help.

Don't Ignore the Problem

Important: Ignoring rent arrears won't make them go away. If you don't contact us, the debt will grow and could lead to court action and eviction.

We want to help you stay in your home, but we can only do that if you work with us.

How We Can Help

When you contact us, we can:

  • Discuss your situation in confidence
  • Check if you're entitled to benefits
  • Help you apply for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
  • Set up a repayment plan that you can afford
  • Refer you to money advice services
  • Provide information about grants and hardship funds
  • Signpost you to other support services

Contact Us Now

If you're struggling to pay your rent, please contact us immediately:

Phone: 07907 631333 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Email: admin@southwardhousing.co.uk
Online: Complete the form below

Request Support / Repayment Plan

Complete this form to request support or propose a repayment plan:

Benefits and Financial Support

Housing Benefit and Universal Credit

If you're on a low income or receiving benefits, you may be entitled to help with your rent through:

  • Housing Benefit (if you're of pension age or in supported housing)
  • Universal Credit (includes housing costs for working-age people)

We can help you check your entitlement and apply.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn't cover your full rent, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local council.

Other Benefits

You may also be entitled to other benefits such as:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Child Benefit and Tax Credits

Money Advice and Debt Support

Free, confidential money advice is available from:

Citizens Advice

Phone: 0800 144 8848
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

StepChange Debt Charity

Phone: 0800 138 1111
Website: www.stepchange.org

National Debtline

Phone: 0808 808 4000
Website: www.nationaldebtline.org

Turn2us

Find benefits you're entitled to and grants you could apply for:
Website: www.turn2us.org.uk

Repayment Arrangements

If you have rent arrears, we can agree a repayment plan with you. This means you pay:

  • Your current rent
  • Plus an agreed amount towards the arrears

The repayment amount will be based on what you can afford. We'll ask you to complete an income and expenditure form to work this out.

Important: You must stick to the repayment plan. If you miss payments, we may have to take further action.

What If I Don't Contact You?

If you don't contact us and continue to fall behind with your rent, we will have to take action:

  1. We'll send you letters and try to contact you
  2. We may visit you at home
  3. We may start legal proceedings
  4. We may apply to court for a possession order
  5. You could be evicted from your home

We don't want this to happen. Please contact us before it reaches this stage.

Cost of Living Support

If you're struggling with the cost of living, there may be additional support available:

  • Food banks
  • Fuel vouchers
  • Hardship funds
  • Warm Home Discount
  • Council Tax reduction

Contact us or Citizens Advice for more information.

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