Money, rent and benefits

Rent, arrears, benefits, and how a payout affects you.

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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.3 min read
Help with rent arrears and housing benefitBehind 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.2 min read
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.2 min read
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.1 min read
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.1 min read
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.1 min read
Getting the housing part of Universal Credit paid direct to your landlordAn Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) sends the housing part of Universal Credit straight to your landlord. Here is when it works and how to ask.3 min read
The Tenant Fees Act, getting back fees your landlord should not have chargedSince 2019 most letting agent and landlord fees are illegal. Here is what counts as a banned fee and how to get your money back.3 min read
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.3 min read
Council Tax reduction and discounts, what you can claimCouncil 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.4 min read
The benefit cap and housing costs: what tenants need to knowThe benefit cap limits the total benefits a household can get. For many tenants it cuts how much rent gets covered, leaving a real gap between benefits and3 min read
Council tax and housing disrepair: can you pay less?Usually no. A home in bad repair does not cut your council tax on its own. The bill is based on your property's 1991 banding, not how it looks now. There are3 min read
The Warm Home Discount, cold homes and your tenant rightsStruggling with energy bills in a cold rented home? The Warm Home Discount can help with the bills right now. But it replaces none of the landlord's duty to3 min read
Fuel poverty: help available for tenantsDoes a large share of your money go on heating? Or can you often not afford to warm the home enough? That may mean fuel poverty. Here is the help on offer4 min read
Universal Credit housing costs: how it works for rentersIf you rent your home and get Universal Credit (UC), part of your payment is meant to help with rent. Here is how that housing costs element works, how it is3 min read
Universal Credit deductions: what can be taken and what to do about itMoney can be taken straight out of your Universal Credit to repay debts or cover bills. These are deductions. For tenants they usually involve rent arrears,3 min read
Prepayment meters: your rights as a tenantA prepayment meter is a gas or electricity meter that you pay for in advance. It is sometimes called a "pay as you go" or "top-up" meter. You top up a key, a4 min read
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, and3 min read
The two-child benefit limit: what it means for your housingThe two-child limit restricts the child element of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit to a family's first two children, for children born on or after 64 min read
Can my landlord charge me for gas, electricity and water?Can a landlord charge you for gas, electricity and water on top of rent? And are the amounts fair? Here are the rules.3 min read
Housing benefit overpayment: how to dispute itHave you been told you owe housing benefit back? This is called an overpayment. You have the right to challenge this decision. These letters can be confusing4 min read
Bedroom tax and disability: exemptions explainedThe bedroom tax (officially the under-occupancy charge) cuts your housing benefit, or the housing element of Universal Credit, if you are in social housing3 min read
ECO4 scheme: what it means for tenants in private rented housingECO4 is a government-backed energy scheme. It can pay for insulation, heating systems, and other improvements in privately rented homes. Here is what it3 min read
Local Housing Allowance shortfall: what to do when your benefit does not cover your rentRent privately with housing support through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit? The amount you get may not cover your full rent. The gap between what you3 min read
Attendance Allowance and housing disrepair: what tenants need to knowAttendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people aged 65 or over. You can get it if you have a physical or mental disability that means you need help with3 min read
Discretionary Housing Payment: what it is and how to applyDoes your housing benefit or Universal Credit fall short of your rent? A Discretionary Housing Payment, a DHP, from your local council may fill the gap. Here3 min read
Pension Credit and housing costs: a guide for older private tenantsAre you of state pension age, renting privately, on a low income? Pension Credit may help with your housing costs. Here is how it works for older private3 min read
The bedroom tax: what it is and how it affects social housing tenantsThe "bedroom tax", officially the removal of the spare room subsidy, cuts housing support for social tenants judged to hold more bedrooms than they need.2 min read
Rent arrears and Breathing Space: protecting yourself from escalating debtOwing rent and other debts, you may fear creditors and landlords acting while you sort things out. The Breathing Space scheme, formally the Debt Respite2 min read
Universal Credit five-week wait: what tenants need to know about housing costsA first Universal Credit claim usually means a five-week wait for the first payment. Through it you have no UC income at all, the housing element included.2 min read
Local Housing Allowance: what it is and how it affects your rentLocal Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit, or Universal Credit housing element, that private renters can receive. We cover how LHA3 min read
Housing benefit for private renters: how it worksHousing benefit helps people on low incomes pay rent. Renting privately, your benefit usually follows the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area.2 min read
Universal Credit advance payment: what it is and how to get oneA first Universal Credit claim means waiting around five weeks for the first payment. For many people that gap breeds a real money crisis, above all with2 min read
PIP, DLA, and housing adaptations: what you need to knowDo you or someone in your family get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)? If so, there may be help to change your rented4 min read
Service charges for flat tenants: what they are and your rightsIf you rent a flat, you may be asked to pay service charges on top of your rent. They cover the cost of looking after shared areas and services in the3 min read
Household Support Fund: what it is and how private renters can access itThe Household Support Fund is government money given to local councils to help people struggling with the cost of living. Are you renting and finding it hard2 min read
Council tax single person discount: what tenants need to knowThe only adult living in a rented home? A 25% discount on the council tax bill may be yours. Here is who qualifies. Here is how to apply, and what happens2 min read
Carer's Allowance and housing costs: what carers need to knowDo you get Carer's Allowance? You may be able to get help with your housing costs too. This help comes through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. Here is3 min read

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