--- title: "Rent Arrears Payment Plan Letter — Free Template | CrisisCompass | CrisisCompass" source_url: "https://crisiscompass.co.uk/rent-arrears-payment-plan-letter" retrieved_by: "AnswerRail Edge Engine v1.1.0-parity-v20 (https://answerrail.com)" level_of_detail: "standard" token_payload_reduction: "90%" raw_html_bytes: 129577 compiled_body_bytes: 12936 entities_extracted: 6 currency_recall_static_html: "100%" monitored_currency_tokens: 26 faq_answer_recall_static_html: "100%" monitored_faq_answers: 4 link_recall_static_html: "100%" monitored_content_links: 13 omitted_dynamic_states: ["non_default_tab_panels", "volume_slider_tiers"] conversion_notes: "Origin renders alternate tabs and volume pricing sliders via client-side JavaScript; serving default static AST state." rfc_compliance: "RFC 9110" last_verified_at: "2026-10-25T08:52:05.368Z" cache_age_seconds: 0 origin_cache_control: "public, max-age=0, must-revalidate" --- > **Canonical Source:** [https://crisiscompass.co.uk/rent-arrears-payment-plan-letter](https://crisiscompass.co.uk/rent-arrears-payment-plan-letter) > > *Free rent arrears letter template to send to your landlord. Request a payment plan and protect your tenancy with a professional, clear letter.* ### Organization: CrisisCompass | Field | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Organization** | CrisisCompass | | **Official Website** | https://crisiscompass.co.uk | | **Overview** | Independent UK crisis management, financial support guidance, and emergency contingency portal. | ### Entity: CrisisCompass | Property | Detail | | :--- | :--- | | **Type** | WebSite | | **Name** | CrisisCompass | ### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **Q: Is CrisisCompass free?** > A: Yes. All core tools — Survival Check, Benefits Finder, Hardship Letter Generator, Budget Calculator, Debt Priority Checker, and AI Chat — are completely free. Optional premium PDF documents start from £2.99. **Q: Is CrisisCompass financial advice?** > A: No. CrisisCompass provides general information and tools. For personalised financial advice, we recommend contacting StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848). **Q: Is my data safe?** > A: We store data locally in your browser wherever possible. The Financial Survival Check results are never saved to our servers. See our Privacy Policy for full details. ### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **Q: Can my landlord evict me for rent arrears?** > A: Your landlord can begin the eviction process, but cannot evict you without a court order. The process is lengthy (typically 3–6 months) and the court will consider your circumstances. Proactively contacting your landlord and offering a payment plan significantly reduces the risk. **Q: Should I pay rent or other debts first?** > A: Rent is generally considered a priority debt because the consequence of non-payment (eviction) directly affects your housing. Priority debts should typically be addressed before non-priority debts like credit cards. **Q: What is a Discretionary Housing Payment?** > A: A DHP is extra help from your council if your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element does not cover your full rent. It is discretionary (not guaranteed) but many councils have funds available. You can apply through your local council. **Q: What if my landlord refuses a payment plan?** > A: If your landlord refuses to negotiate, keep a record of your attempts. Continue paying what you can afford. Seek advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice. If eviction proceedings begin, your good faith efforts to pay will be noted by the court. # Rent Arrears Payment Plan Letter If you have fallen behind on rent, writing a clear, honest letter to your landlord can help protect your tenancy. Most landlords would rather agree a payment plan than go through the costly and lengthy eviction process. 2 min readLast reviewed: March 2026 [Generate Your Letter →](/tools/letters)[Calculate Your Budget →](/tools/budget)[Find Support You May Be Eligible For →](/benefits) ⚡ 100% Free Statutory Self-Advocacy Tool • Zero PaywallCited Statute: **Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims** ## Instant Statutory Letter & Notice Generator (100% Free) Generate a legally cited UK forbearance, payment plan, or HMRC Time-to-Pay letter in 30 seconds. Zero paywalls, zero sign-up required. 1\. Select Statutory Notice / Letter TypeCouncil Tax Payment Plan & S.13A Hardship Request (Local Government Finance Act 1992 (s.13A))Creditor Reduced Payment & Forbearance Proposal (FCA Consumer Credit Sourcebook (CONC 7.3))6-Month Statutory Interest & Charges Freeze Notice (FCA CONC 7.3.4G & Breathing Space Regs 2020)Rent Arrears Affordable Repayment Proposal (Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims)Energy Debt Payment Plan & Hardship Grant Request (Ofgem Supply Licence Condition 27 (Ability to Pay))Water Company Social Tariff & WaterSure Cap Request (Water Industry Act 1991 (s.44 Social Tariffs))HMRC Time-to-Pay (TTP) Arrangement Proposal (PAYE / VAT / Corp Tax / SA) (Finance Act 2009 s.108 (Suspension of Late Payment Penalties)) Your Name / Company Name Creditor / Council / HMRC Team Account / Council Tax / UTR Reference Total Arrears / Balance (£) Affordable Monthly Offer (£) Brief Hardship Reason 2\. Your Ready-to-Send Statutory Letter (Editable)Date: 20 October 2026 To: Landlord / Housing Association Income Team Tenancy Reference: \[Account / Council Tax / UTR Reference\] PRE-ACTION PROTOCOL FOR POSSESSION CLAIMS: AFFORDABLE RENT ARREARS REPAYMENT PLAN Dear Landlord / Housing Income Officer, I am writing regarding the rent arrears of £1,450 on tenancy \[Account / Council Tax / UTR Reference\]. These arrears arose due to a sudden reduction in household income combined with essential living cost increases. Protecting my home is my highest financial priority. In accordance with the Ministry of Justice Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims: 1. I will pay my full ongoing contractual rent on each due date. 2. In addition, I propose paying £45 per month towards clearing the £1,450 arrears, which is the maximum sustainable sum available on my Standard Financial Statement (SFS) budget. 3. If applicable, I am also applying to the Local Authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to reduce the capital arrears faster. Please confirm your agreement to this £45/month arrears repayment schedule in writing. Yours faithfully, \[Your Full Name / Director Name\] 📋 Copy Letter Text (Free)🖨️ Open Print-Ready A4 PDF (£0 Free)⬇️ Download .TXT ## Why Rent is a Priority Debt Rent arrears can lead to eviction — but the process is not instant. Understanding your rights helps: - **Social housing tenants**: Your housing association must follow a formal pre-action protocol before eviction - **Private tenants**: Your landlord must serve the correct notice (Section 8 or Section 21) and obtain a court order - **No landlord can evict you without a court order** — changing locks or removing belongings is illegal ## What to Include - Your **name and address** - The **amount of arrears** you owe - A clear **explanation of your circumstances** - The **amount you can afford** to pay monthly (rent + arrears contribution) - A statement that you want to **maintain the tenancy** - Whether you are claiming **Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element** ## Checking Your Housing Support If you receive housing support, check that: - Your **Housing Benefit or UC housing element** is being paid correctly - You have reported any changes in circumstances - You are receiving the correct amount for your area (Local Housing Allowance rates) If there is a shortfall between your housing support and your rent, you may be able to apply for a **Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)** from your council. ## Your Rights as a Tenant - Your landlord cannot enter your property without permission (except in emergencies) - Your landlord cannot harass you or pressure you to leave - Eviction requires a court order — the process typically takes 3–6 months minimum - If you are vulnerable or have children, the court may give you more time ## What Happens Next 1. 1Your landlord should acknowledge your letter 2. 2You may agree a payment plan in writing 3. 3Keep a copy of all correspondence 4. 4If your landlord does not respond, send a follow-up after 14 days 5. 5If you are threatened with eviction, seek advice immediately from Shelter (0808 800 4444) 🏢 UK Limited Company Director Triage • Finance Act 2009 s.108 & ERA 1996 s.166PAYE • VAT • Corporation Tax • Bounce Back Loans ## Running a Limited Company with HMRC Arrears or Business Debt? Calculate your monthly **HMRC Time-to-Pay (TTP)** instalment and check if you qualify for a tax-free **Company Director Statutory Redundancy & Notice Payout** from the government's National Insurance Fund (Employment Rights Act 1996 s.166) if your company ceases trading. HMRC / Company Debt£28,000 £3,000£30k Express Line£150,000+ Years as PAYE Director6 years 0 yrs2 yr Statutory Min20 yrs Weekly Gross PAYE Salary£520/wk £180/wk£700 Statutory Cap Option A: Keep Trading via HMRC Time-to-Pay ~£2,422 / month over 12 months ✓ Under £30,000 threshold: Eligible for HMRC Express Self-Serve / Direct Debit Time-to-Pay arrangement without full security. Option B: Estimated Director Redundancy Claim (Gov RPS) £6,552 Tax-Free Estimate Includes ~£3,900 statutory redundancy + ~£2,652 statutory notice pay from the National Insurance Fund (Form RP1/RP2). Often covers 100% of liquidation costs. 📄 Download B2B HMRC Time-to-Pay Proposal, Cashflow Table & s.172 Board Minute (£29 Instant Pack)🏪 Commercial Rent (CRAR) & Trade Creditor Pack (£19) Need free confidential charity guidance for a sole trader or SME? Call **Business Debtline** free on [0800 197 6026](tel:08001976026) (uk\_b2b\_corporate\_insolvency self-serve governance triage). 🏠 Ofgem ECO4 & £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) • 2026 Funding Open12 Verified UK MCS-Accredited Installers ### Cut Monthly Energy Bills by £650–£1,100/yr: Check £7,500 Heating & ECO4 Grant Eligibility If anyone in your household receives **Universal Credit, Pension Credit, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, or Council Tax Reduction** (or your household income is under £31,000 under ECO4 Flex), you may qualify for 100% funded insulation, solar, or the **£7,500 Government Boiler Upgrade Grant** with zero repayment required. ✓ £7,500 BUS Voucher✓ ECO4 Flex Low-Income Route✓ Direct MCS-Certified Assessment Check My Postcode for £7,500 / ECO4 Grants →Takes 45 seconds • No impact on credit score - **[Check Unclaimed Council Credit Balances & Band Reductions (CouncilCredit.co.uk)](https://councilcredit.co.uk?utm_source=crisiscompass&utm_medium=sovereign_hub)** — SI 1992/613 Reg 14 • Household & CommercialSearch Ledger →UK councils hold over £310m in unrefunded credit balances from closed accounts, overpayments, and backdated Band A–H revaluations. Check if your council owes you a BACS refund. - **[Reclaim Backdated Small Business Rates Relief (RatesReclaim.co.uk)](https://ratesreclaim.co.uk?utm_source=crisiscompass&utm_medium=sovereign_hub)** — LGFA 1988 s.43(4B) • UK Shopfronts, Workshops & OfficesCheck Relief →Sole-property UK businesses with a Rateable Value ≤ £12,000 qualify for 100% Small Business Rate Relief. Audit your property or refer a local business for a £75–£150 partner referral reward. ## Frequently Asked Questions Can my landlord evict me for rent arrears? Your landlord can begin the eviction process, but cannot evict you without a court order. The process is lengthy (typically 3–6 months) and the court will consider your circumstances. Proactively contacting your landlord and offering a payment plan significantly reduces the risk. Should I pay rent or other debts first? Rent is generally considered a priority debt because the consequence of non-payment (eviction) directly affects your housing. Priority debts should typically be addressed before non-priority debts like credit cards. What is a Discretionary Housing Payment? A DHP is extra help from your council if your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element does not cover your full rent. It is discretionary (not guaranteed) but many councils have funds available. You can apply through your local council. What if my landlord refuses a payment plan? If your landlord refuses to negotiate, keep a record of your attempts. Continue paying what you can afford. Seek advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice. If eviction proceedings begin, your good faith efforts to pay will be noted by the court. ## Related Guides - **[Hardship Letter for Credit Card Debt](/hardship-letter-credit-card-debt)** — Free hardship letter template for credit card debt. Generate a professional letter requesting reduced payments, interest freeze, or a payment plan from your credit card provider. - **[Council Tax Payment Plan Letter](/council-tax-payment-plan-letter)** — Free council tax payment plan letter template. Request a payment arrangement for council tax arrears and avoid enforcement action from your local council. - **[Your Eviction Rights — What Landlords Can and Can't Do](/eviction-rights-uk)** — Know your rights if facing eviction. Section 21 vs Section 8, timelines, court process, and how to challenge an illegal eviction. ## Sources & Further Reading [FCA Consumer Credit Sourcebook](https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/consumer-credit)[StepChange Debt Charity](https://www.stepchange.org/)[Citizens Advice — Debt](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/) ### Get a free recovery plan by email We'll send you a personalised action plan with next steps, plus practical tips over the following week. 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