Money, rent and benefits
Rent, arrears, benefits, and how a payout affects you.
Guides in this topic
38 plain-English guides. 3 to 5 minute reads, no jargon, free to use.
Can I withhold rent if my landlord won't do repairs?
Thinking of stopping your rent until repairs are done? It is risky and can get you evicted for arrears. Here is the safer way to force repairs, and your rights.
Read · 3 min
Help with rent arrears and housing benefit
Behind on rent, or struggling with Universal Credit housing costs? You have options, and free help. Here is what to do first and who to call before things get worse.
Read · 2 min
Will a disrepair payout affect my Universal Credit or benefits?
Worried compensation could cut your Universal Credit? Savings under £6,000 are ignored, and money for a health problem is protected for 12 months. Here is how it works.
Read · 2 min
What is a rent repayment order?
A rent repayment order can make a landlord pay back up to 12 months' rent for certain offences. It is separate from a disrepair claim. Here is how it works and who to ask.
Read · 1 min
My landlord wants to increase my rent, what are my rights?
Landlords can only put up rent in certain ways and with notice. You can challenge an unfair increase. Here is how rent increases work and who can help.
Read · 1 min
My deposit isn't protected, what now?
If your landlord did not put your deposit in an official scheme within 30 days, you may be able to claim it back, plus extra compensation. Here is what to do.
Read · 1 min
Getting the housing part of Universal Credit paid direct to your landlord
An Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) sends the housing part of Universal Credit straight to your landlord. Here is when it works and how to ask.
Read · 3 min
The Tenant Fees Act, getting back fees your landlord should not have charged
Since 2019 most letting agent and landlord fees are illegal. Here is what counts as a banned fee and how to get your money back.
Read · 3 min
Holding deposit not returned, what should I do?
A holding deposit can only be one week's rent and must be returned in 15 days, with limited exceptions. Here is how to get yours back.
Read · 3 min
Council Tax reduction and discounts, what you can claim
Council Tax reduction can cut your bill by up to 100% if you are on a low income. There are extra discounts for single people, students and others.
Read · 4 min
The benefit cap and housing costs: what tenants need to know
The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive. For many tenants, the cap affects how much of their housing costs are covered by
Read · 4 min
Council tax and housing disrepair: can you pay less?
Usually no. Disrepair does not automatically cut your council tax, because the bill is based on your property's 1991 banding, not its current condition.
Read · 3 min
The Warm Home Discount, cold homes and your tenant rights
If you are struggling with energy bills in a poorly heated rented home, the Warm Home Discount scheme may help with immediate costs, but it does not replace
Read · 4 min
Fuel poverty: help available for tenants
If a large proportion of your income goes on heating your home, or if you regularly cannot afford to heat it adequately, you may be in fuel poverty. This
Read · 4 min
Universal Credit housing costs: how it works for renters
If you rent your home and receive Universal Credit (UC), the housing costs element of your UC payment is designed to help with your rent. Here is how the
Read · 3 min
Universal Credit deductions: what can be taken and what to do about it
Universal Credit payments can be reduced by deductions, amounts taken directly from your payment to repay debts or meet other obligations. For tenants,
Read · 3 min
Prepayment meters: your rights as a tenant
A prepayment meter (sometimes called a "pay as you go" or "top-up" meter) is a gas or electricity meter that requires you to pay in advance by topping up a
Read · 4 min
Can I change my energy supplier as a tenant?
Whether you can switch supplier depends on how your energy bills are set up. This guide goes through the different arrangements, when you can switch, and
Read · 3 min
The two-child benefit limit: what it means for your housing
The two-child limit restricts the child element of Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to a family's first two children for children born on or after 6
Read · 4 min
Can my landlord charge me for gas, electricity and water?
Many tenants are unsure about their rights when it comes to utility bills, whether the landlord can charge them for gas, electricity, and water on top of
Read · 4 min
Housing benefit overpayment: how to dispute it
If you are told you owe housing benefit back because of an overpayment, you have the right to dispute this decision. Overpayment notices can be confusing and
Read · 3 min
Bedroom tax and disability: exemptions explained
The bedroom tax (officially the under-occupancy charge) reduces the amount of housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit you receive if you
Read · 3 min
ECO4 scheme: what it means for tenants in private rented housing
ECO4 is a government-backed energy efficiency scheme that can pay for insulation, heating systems, and other improvements in privately rented homes. Here is
Read · 3 min
Local Housing Allowance shortfall: what to do when your benefit does not cover your rent
If you rent privately and receive housing support through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, the amount you receive may not cover your full rent. The gap
Read · 3 min
Attendance Allowance and housing disrepair: what tenants need to know
Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people aged 65 or over who have a physical or mental disability that means they need help with personal care or
Read · 3 min
Discretionary Housing Payment: what it is and how to apply
If your housing benefit or Universal Credit housing cost element does not fully cover your rent, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
Read · 3 min
Pension Credit and housing costs: a guide for older private tenants
If you are of state pension age and renting privately with a low income, Pension Credit may help with your housing costs. You will find out how Pension
Read · 4 min
The bedroom tax: what it is and how it affects social housing tenants
The "bedroom tax", officially called the removal of the spare room subsidy, reduces Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs for social housing
Read · 3 min
Rent arrears and Breathing Space: protecting yourself from escalating debt
If you owe rent and other debts, you may be worried about creditors and landlords taking action while you try to sort things out. The Breathing Space scheme
Read · 3 min
Universal Credit five-week wait: what tenants need to know about housing costs
When you first claim Universal Credit, there is usually a five-week wait before your first payment arrives. During this period, you have no Universal Credit
Read · 2 min
Local Housing Allowance: what it is and how it affects your rent
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum amount of housing benefit or Universal Credit housing element that private renters can receive. We cover how
Read · 3 min
Housing benefit for private renters: how it works
Housing benefit helps people on low incomes pay their rent. If you rent from a private landlord, your housing benefit will usually be calculated using the
Read · 3 min
Universal Credit advance payment: what it is and how to get one
When you first claim Universal Credit, you have to wait around five weeks for your first payment. For many people, that gap creates a serious financial
Read · 3 min
PIP, DLA, and housing adaptations: what you need to know
If you or a family member receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), there may be help available to adapt your rented
Read · 3 min
Service charges for flat tenants: what they are and your rights
If you rent a flat, you may be asked to pay service charges on top of your rent. Service charges cover the cost of maintaining shared areas and services in
Read · 3 min
Household Support Fund: what it is and how private renters can access it
The Household Support Fund is a government grant given to local councils to help people struggling with the cost of living. If you are renting and finding it
Read · 3 min
Council tax single person discount: what tenants need to know
If you are the only adult living in a rented property, you may be entitled to a 25% discount on your council tax bill. Here is who qualifies, how to apply,
Read · 2 min
Carer's Allowance and housing costs: what carers need to know
If you are a carer receiving Carer's Allowance, you may be eligible for help with your housing costs through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. Here is how
Read · 2 min
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