Rent Arrears

ScopeHelpline
ScopeHelpline Online Community Member Posts: 204 Contributor
edited September 2014 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The UK is facing a rent debt crisis according to debt charity Money Advice Trust http://goo.gl/SPZxry . Rent arrears are the fastest growing debt problem, and renters are becoming more likely to seek help with their debts. In 2010 just 6.3 per cent of callers to the MAT's National Debtline, were in rent arrears. In 2013 that number has risen to 12.3 per cent.
Joanna Elson, Chief Executive of the Money Advice Trust said: The long-term trend for rising rent prices is clear and its impact on the debt landscape is significant. Rent arrears are now the fastest growing debt problem we help people with at National Debtline, and we are in danger of falling into a rent debt crisis.
We would like to hear from you if you have rent arrears and you are struggling to get back on track. Have you been affected by the

Comments

  • Confused
    Confused Online Community Member Posts: 15 Contributor
    I was evicted onto the streets by the city of London council for just owing £350 after I refused to pay my service charge because the council did not put adaptions into the flat.
  • Debbie_Alumni
    Debbie_Alumni Online Community Member Posts: 932 Empowering
    Hi Confused,

    That's an awful situation to be in. I'm really sorry that you were evicted for not paying the service charge. Non-payment of service charges counts as non-payment of rent and is a breach of tenancy. The landlord can take possession proceedings but there is a legal process that they have to follow. Were you able to access help at the time to try and stop the eviction? Have you found alternative housing now?
    Thank you for sharing your experience, if you want to talk more let me know.

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