While evictions were halted and debt frozen during the Coronavirus pandemic, rent arrears tripled in the last year, according to Labour MP Yvonne Fovargue.
Typically if a tenant has rent arrears the landlord could apply for an eviction notice and begin proceedings, however there is additional support now available due to covid.
If you are struggling with rent arrears then please call us on 0800 085 0226 and we can advise on the best course of action.
Help Available for Rent Arrears
Wales have announced a £10m package which aims to help people who have incurred arrears with their rent due to the Covid pandemic. Anyone who has arrears from March 1st 2020 to June 30th 2021 will be eligible to receive financial support.
In Scotland, tenants can apply for a Hardship Loan Fund which will cover 9 months of rent arrears. The loan will be interest free, however a credit check will need to be passed and the loan must be repaid over 5 years.
It is currently unclear if England will announce any plans to help tenants pay money owed to landlords, however Conservative MP Nigel Mills has called on the Government to step in.
Mr Mills said yesterday, “The government should step in and say it’s nobody’s fault,”
he continued, “Tenants will need to pay some of their debt, but in return a landlord could offer a new one-year lease so the tenancy can be sustained and the arrears could be cleared over a decent period, in return for a taxpayer contribution. Those proportions could be moved up or down but that seems to be a realistic model.”
Not Eligible For Rent Support?
If you are not eligible for financial assistance with your rent arrears then it’s important to speak to a qualified debt adviser.
Sometimes just restructuring your finances can help free up extra money to help pay towards any rent arrears. This may require entering a debt solution or it may simply require some help with budgeting tips.
If you would like more help or advice on dealing with rent arrears, please call Debt Support Trust on 0800 085 0226.