Last week the government announced a six-week extension to the ban on bailiff-forced evictions for private renters. This means the temporary ban will expire on 31st May, providing relief in the short-term for many struggling renters across Manchester. 

Despite the extension, it’s still vital that anyone who is currently in rent arrears or having difficulty keeping up with rent payments comes to us as soon as possible for advice - rather than waiting for the ban to expire. You can get in touch with our team on 0808 278 7800.

To help, we’ve put together some tips on what you can do if you’re struggling with rent payments - it might be that you save money elsewhere, increase your income or get extra support with paying your rent. 

Speak to your landlord 

An important first step is to open a conversation with your landlord - it’s always helpful to be clear and transparent about your situation so you can begin working towards a potential resolution. It’s worth remembering eviction is often a last resort for many landlords. 

If you’ve lost your job or suffered reduced income due to the COVID-19 pandemic then be sure to explain this to your landlord. They may be more accommodating as a result and might be willing to accept reduced payments or work out a manageable payment plan. 

See if you could increase your income 

If you’re currently on low income, you may be eligible for extra money to help you cover your rent and other living expenses. Housing Benefit or Universal Credit are common examples of this. If you need help applying for benefits, our advice can help. 

You may also be eligible to claim Discretionary Housing Payments if you’re claiming benefits but don’t receive enough to cover your rent. Find out how to apply for this on the Shelter website.

Get help with managing debt and budgeting 

It may be that the reason you’re struggling with rent payments is due to the fact you have unpaid debts or are finding it difficult to manage your finances. 

If this is the case, you should look to speak to our specialist money team as soon as you can. They might be able to assist you with getting unpaid debts written off, structuring a plan to repay your debts or help with budgeting your finances. 

Save money on your energy costs 
Saving money on your energy bills can free up finances to help towards paying your rent. You can follow some of our quick and easy steps to make your home more energy efficient, bringing down your monthly energy costs in the process. 

You could also be eligible for extra support with your energy costs, such as the Winter Fuel Payment (which must be claimed before 31 March), Cold Weather Payments or the Warm Home Discount Scheme. 

If you need help with saving money on your energy costs or finding out if you could be eligible for discounts, get in touch with our dedicated energy team today. 

See if you could get help with Council Tax

If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to some help towards paying your council tax. You can apply for Council Tax Reduction on the gov.uk website. If you need help applying our team can offer support. 

It’s worth noting that even if you already claim Universal Credit you may still be eligible for Council Tax Reduction.

For more information on how our housing advisers can help you, visit our housing advice pages, get in touch to speak to one of our team, or wtach the recording of our housing advice Livestream over on our Facebook page.