In navigating the challenging waters of rent arrears in the UK, understanding your rights and options becomes paramount. This comprehensive guide delves into the complexities of rent arrears, the nuances of eviction proceedings, and the implications of facing a County Court judgement (CCJ).
From the initial stages of managing overdue rent to the intricacies of legal proceedings and the potential repercussions of ignoring a CCJ, this article offers valuable insights and practical advice.
Whether you’re a tenant grappling with rent arrears, facing the threat of eviction, or seeking to understand the impact of bankruptcy on your housing situation, this guide provides a clear roadmap to navigate these daunting scenarios.
With expert advice and a step-by-step approach, this article aims to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently address and resolve these challenging circumstances.
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Understanding Rent Arrears: What Happens When You Fall Behind?
Facing rent arrears is like navigating a tricky maze. It’s daunting, especially when the shadow of a County Court Judgement (CCJ) looms overhead. From unstable incomes to unexpected payments and bills, it’s easy to find yourself facing arrears.
Having rent arrears might result in your landlord deciding to evict you. Furthermore, ignoring rent arrears can lead to severe outcomes such as County Court Judgment for rent arrears.
This is why, in a situation where you’re facing arrears, it’s crucial that you reach out to your landlord without delay. This will enable you to communicate and discuss how you can pay off the arrears. Informing them of the clear reason as to why you’re unable to pay the full amount will be helpful.
For example, take a look at this forum discussion where a lack of communication resulted in a County Court judgment for rent arrears:
Strategies to Tackle Rent Arrears
If you’re facing a large amount of rent arrears, one of the first steps you should take to tackle it is to look at your budget and find out how much you can manage to pay. Thereafter, come up with a new payment arrangement which you’re able to afford and show it to your landlord.
However, make sure that your budget is realistic. If your landlord agrees to it, it’s crucial that you stick to it and make payments on time. If your landlord rejects your plan, don’t stop payments. Every penny counts and shows your commitment to resolving the debt.
Documenting your communication and agreements is crucial. Why is this important? It shows you’ve made an effort to resolve the issue. Furthermore, if things take a legal turn, you have evidence to support your case.
Facing Eviction: Understanding Your Rights and Options
Understanding your rights and options is like having a map in this complex journey. But what are these rights, and how do they vary?
A landlord has the right to evict you if you’re in arrears and if they have a fixed-term agreement. But note that it is a long, drawn-out process.
There’s a chance you might not even have to leave. It’s not easy getting to grips with your rights as a tenant. Your rights also vary depending on where you live and the type of tenancy.
However, if you’re concerned about getting evicted, consider reaching out to a shelter. If you live in Northern Ireland, reach out to Housing Rights.
Furthermore, if you’re concerned about being evicted because you’re in arrears as you’re unable to afford rent, note that there is help available. Reach out to our MoneyAdvisor team for guidance and solutions:
Expert Help at Your Fingertips: Specialist Housing Advice
If you’re threatened with eviction, reaching out to your Local Authority for advice is a good option. They can offer you guidance and advice on emergency accommodation and how you can apply for social housing.
| Housing Advice for England | Shelter | 0808 800 4444 |
| Housing Advice for Scotland | Shelter Scotland | 0808 800 4444 |
| Housing Advice for Wales | Shelter Cymru | 0345 075 5005 |
| Housing Advice for Northern Ireland | Housing Rights | 028 9024 5640 |
The Stages of Rent Arrears Eviction
Before you are evicted, the landlord should follow a certain set of steps. These steps are as follows:
The first step of the eviction process includes the landlord sending the tenant a section 8 notice. This notice will consist of information such as the date to leave along with the threat of legal action if you refuse to vacate the premises by the given date. At this point, agreeing to a repayment agreement is the best option to avoid eviction.
The landlord has the right to take legal action against you even if you leave the property or not, as long as you have rent arrears. If they decide to move forward with legal action, expect to receive a claim form along with a defence form.
You should complete the defence form within two weeks of the date you received it. Thereafter, you will get a notice of reviews that states a review date. If there is a court hearing, the judge will issue a possession order granting permission for the landlord to evict you.
- Outright possession order: You will be informed of a date on which you should leave the property.
- Postponed possession order: you will be allowed to remain at the property under particular terms. You will be given permission to stay at the property under certain terms.
Note that breaking the terms of a suspended or postponed possession order will result in you having to evict the property.
If you refuse to leave the premises even after receiving an order to do so, the Landlord has the right to apply for a Warrant of Possession. Once this is granted, they can get a County Court Bailiff to evict you.
The final step of the eviction process is receiving a notice of eviction. This notice will let you know when the bailiffs will repossess the property. Furthermore, along with your rent arrears, you will also be liable to pay legal fees and bailiffs’ costs incurred.
The Stages of Eviction for Social Housing Tenants
For tenants in social housing, the eviction is quite similar. Social Landlords should follow a Pre-Action Protocol for rent arrears.
For individuals who live in social housing, the eviction process starts once they miss the eight weeks of rent. The first step they will take is sending you a notice to pay. If there is no payment from your end or you don’t reach an agreement, they will decide to apply for a possession order.
For this process, you will receive papers from the court that you need to complete. However, note that at this stage, you’re not obliged to leave the property.
The second stage is the possession hearing. At this stage, you will receive one of the following from the judge:
- Suspended possession order: this is where you will have to meet particular terms if you are to remain in the property as per the current housing tenancy.
- Outright possession order: you should leave the housing tenancy once you’re asked to do so.
If you don’t adhere to the terms of either of the orders, the landlord has the right to apply for a Warrant of Possession, and you will be removed from your premises by the local authority with the help of enforcement agents.
You will also receive an eviction notice, which will consist of details of the date the County Court bailiffs will repossess your property. Note that even if you are forced to leave the property, you will still have to pay the rent arrears along with other costs incurred during the eviction process.
Bankruptcy and Rent Arrears
If you’re up to date with rent payments and are declared bankrupt, you can remain on the property even if you are renting from a local authority, private landlord, or housing association. Court action cannot be taken in order to recover the money you owe if the rent arrears have been included in your bankruptcy.
However, keep in mind that you could still be evicted from the premises. There is a high chance of this happening if it’s with a private landlord. Furthermore, once you declare bankruptcy, finding a private tenancy will be much more challenging.
Is it Possible to Get a CCJ for Rent Arrears?
Yes, there’s a possibility that you could get a County Court Judgement for rent arrears. However, note that this is an uncommon occurrence mainly because the process is expensive and lengthy. So because of this, many landlords prefer to evict the tenant instead.
Once a landlord applies for a possession order on a property, they have the right to apply for a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against the tenant as well.
If you’ve received a suspended order or a postponed order, there’s a high chance that the judgment will also be suspended or postponed. So, you’re not obligated to leave the property unless you don’t pay the rent or don’t adhere to the terms of the possession order.
Make sure to check your credit file regularly if you’re not sure that your landlord will apply for a CCJ without you knowing.
Consequences of Ignoring a CCJ for Rent Arrears
Ignoring a CCJ will result in your landlord pursuing enforcement in order to recover the money. This process is very costly for both parties involved. If the landlord is aware that you don’t have any assets, they may not deem it to be worth it.
By applying for a Warrant of Control, the local authority will provide permission for CCJ enforcement agents to seize your assets and sell them at an auction in order to recover the money.
The money will then go towards clearing off your debt. If your landlord uses this method, the maximum amount they can recover is £5,000 from your tenancy.
If you have a stable job, there is a possibility that your landlord might use this method to recover the money. If the court grants an Attachment of Earnings Order, the landlord will be able to receive a portion of your age until the debt clears.
In order to avoid this from happening, you will have to pay the debt in full.
If you own a property, your landlord might decide to apply for a Charging Order against you. This allows them to put a ‘charge’ on your house. So, if you decide to sell your home, the proceeds will first go towards the County Court Judgement for rent arrears.
How Far Back Can Rent Arrears Be Claimed?
A County Court Judgement for rent arrears can stain your record for a period of six years. This begins from the first date you failed to pay rent. Once you receive a CCJ from the County Court, they have the right to chase you for up to six years’ worth of rent arrears.
Even though it’s possible to write off debts that are more than six years old, there’s a high chance the landlord will attempt to enforce the debt through various methods, such as using enforcement agents to seize your assets and recover the money.
Additional Advice and Guidance
If you’re worried about receiving a County Court Judgement for rent arrears as you are unable to pay it off, note that there are various debt solutions you can consider. We recommend you explore alternative debt solutions that can address your debt-related concerns effectively.
However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that each of these debt solutions has specific eligibility criteria. Selecting the right one can lead to debt resolution while choosing the wrong one could worsen your financial circumstances.
Hence, seeking guidance from a professional debt advisor is a prudent step to take if you find it challenging to determine the most suitable debt solution on your own.
- Additionally, you may be eligible for Minimal Asset Process bankruptcy (MAP). For that to work, you need to prove that you have only a limited income and few valuable assets.
- This MAP option is known for its speed, cost-effectiveness, and simplified process, making it a practical choice to explore.
If you need personalised assistance based on your current financial situation, please feel free to complete our online form by clicking here to receive help from our Advice Team.
Key Points
- Rent arrears occur when rent payments are missed, leading to debt with the landlord. Immediate communication with the landlord is critical.
- Creating a realistic budget and attempting to negotiate a revised payment plan with the landlord are essential steps.
- Even if a landlord rejects a payment plan, continuing to make partial payments demonstrates a commitment to resolving the debt.
- Keeping records of all communications and agreements with the landlord is crucial, especially in case of legal proceedings.
- Understanding tenant rights and the eviction process, which varies based on the tenancy agreement, is crucial for those facing potential eviction.
- Organisations like Shelter and Housing Rights provide region-specific guidance and support for housing-related issues.
- Familiarity with the stages of eviction, including notices, court hearings, and potential eviction orders, is vital.
- Tenants in social housing face specific protocols in the eviction process, requiring awareness and understanding of these rules.
- Declaring bankruptcy can influence rent arrears and housing situations, highlighting the importance of financial advice in these scenarios.
- Not responding to a CCJ can lead to enforcement actions like asset seizure or wage garnishment.
- Rent arrears can typically be claimed for up to six years, affecting financial credibility and requiring legal and financial advice for clarity.
FAQs
An eviction does not directly impact your credit score as it isn’t recorded on your credit report.
However, County Court Judgements will appear on the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines for six years. Before lending money, creditors check the register in order to decide if they want to lend money to you or not. Thus, they will add it to your credit file. So, if you receive a CCJ, it will affect your credit, and you will find it difficult to get finance.
Yes, if a landlord notices a CCJ on your credit report, they may decide to turn down your application.