Renting privately and worried about your tenancy

Whether you're falling behind on rent, have received a formal notice or have a feeling something might change, you are in the right place to find help. There is a lot you can do yourself.

Which of these sounds most like your situation?

I'm behind on rent or struggling to afford it

Talk to your landlord

This is the best time to act. A conversation now is much easier than a crisis later.

Whether the problem is caused by budgeting difficulties, loss of job, or a change in benefits.

You can take some important steps to get yourself back in control and avoid eviction:

  • Explain why you’re going to be late with the rent and ask for some extra time
  • Be clear about what you’re doing to address the problem to help ensure it will not happen again
  • You may be able to negotiate reduced payments with your landlord
  • Keep a record of any agreements you make

If direct conversations feel too difficult, mediation can help. A trained, independent person helps both sides talk things through without taking sides.

If you are thinking about moving, there are a few things to consider.

Get free debt advice

If you have wider debts eating into what you have left, specialist organisations can help.

Contact StepChange for free and confidential debt advice.

For a full list of national debt advice organisations, visit Get free debt advice - GOV.UK.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check whether you are getting all the financial support you are entitled to. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

  • entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim (takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous) 
  • Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back 

For free help with debts:

If you are not working or on a low income, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit (GOV.UK). You do not need a fixed address to apply. If you do not have a permanent address, you can use a care of address such as a job centre.

If you are thinking about moving to a cheaper property, there are a few things to consider:

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use these websites to search for suitable rental properties. You can use filters such as location, number of bedrooms and pets depending on your needs:

  • SpareRoom, Zoopla and Rightmove specialise in house shares and lodging for singles and couples 
  • OpenRent lists private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
  • Shelter has an online tool that can walk you through your options step by step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you’ve researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it’s essential you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

These tools can help:

  • MoneyHelper is a free, confidential, government-backed service to help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills
  • Check your Local Housing Allowance rate by postcode to understand the maximum amount benefits will cover toward your rent

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Wandsworth offers free, confidential guidance.

Help with paying a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

If you still need help

Contact our Housing team for advice and support.

Contacting us is an important step, but it is not the only one. Even if we work with you, you will need to take action to resolve your situation too.

I've received a date to leave from my landlord

Contact us

Contact our Housing team for advice and support.

As well as contacting us, follow the steps below. Even if we work with you, you will need to take action to resolve your situation.

If it just rent you are struggling with

Free debt advice:

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use one or more of the websites below to search for suitable rental properties. Use filters such as location, number of bedrooms and pets depending on your needs:

  • SpareRoom, Zoopla and Rightmove specialise in house shares and lodging for singles and couples 
  • OpenRent lists private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
  • Shelter has an online tool that can walk you through your options step by step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you’ve researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it’s essential you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

These tools can help:

  • MoneyHelper is a free, confidential, government-backed service to help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills
  • Check your Local Housing Allowance rate by postcode to understand the maximum amount benefits will cover toward your rent

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Wandsworth offers free, confidential guidance.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check whether you are getting all the financial support you are entitled  to by using one or more of the websites below. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

  • entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim (takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous) 
  • Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back 

If you are not working or on a low income, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit (GOV.UK). You do not need a fixed address to apply. If you do not have a permanent address, you can use a care of address such as a job centre.

If you are struggling to find a guarantor, the council cannot act as one. However, we may be able to help your landlord with rent guarantee insurance and an incentive payment, which can make it easier for them to accept you as a tenant.

Find out more about the Rent Deposit Scheme.

Help with paying a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

If you still need help

Contact our Housing team for advice and support.

Contacting us is an important step, but it is not the only one. Even if we work with you, you will need to take action to resolve your situation too.

I need to leave now and have nowhere to go

Contact our Housing team straight away.

We will need some original documents, so give us a call first before visiting so we can tell you what might need to bring.

Contacting us is an important step, but it is not the only one. Even if we work with you, you will need to take action to resolve your situation too.

Before you contact us

Before you contact our Housing team, it's worth knowing that the law sets the limits on what help we are allowed to provide. Everyone gets advice to help them find their own accommodation, but only some people qualify for emergency housing.

If it is offered, it may not be in your local area and could last for a long time. This is why working through your own options first genuinely matters.

For broader urgent advice

If you need broader advice urgently, Shelter’s helpline is free on 0808 800 4444.

Up to If you are homeless or worried about losing your home

Updated: 06/07/2026