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Housing costs: mortgage, rent or housing association support

A route map for rent, mortgage and service-charge pressure, with different first actions for tenants, homeowners and housing-association residents.

Last reviewed: 6 July 2026 · UK guidance

In brief

Housing costs need an early response because the legal position and available support depend on the tenure. A private tenant, social tenant, shared owner, leaseholder and mortgagor should not all be given the same advice.

Open the latest statement and identify the exact charge, arrears, notice or rate change. Contact the landlord, housing association or lender before agreeing to a payment you cannot maintain. At the same time, check benefit support, Council Tax help and free housing or debt advice.

Identify the account and legal stage

Separate rent, mortgage, service charges, ground rent, shared-ownership rent and secured loans. Note any missed payment, notice, court date or possession communication. A reminder letter is not the same as a formal notice, but neither should be ignored.

Ask for an affordability review

Provide income, essential spending and what changed. Request a temporary or sustainable arrangement and ask how interest, charges or possession action will be affected. Housing associations may also have tenancy-sustainment, welfare or hardship teams.

Check support linked to housing

Depending on circumstances, routes may include Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit for some households, Local Housing Allowance, Support for Mortgage Interest, Discretionary Housing Payments or local welfare help. Each has its own rules and may not cover the full charge.

Get advice before signing away rights

Do not surrender a tenancy, agree to a voluntary sale or consolidate unsecured debt against the home without independent advice. If a notice or court papers have arrived, use urgent housing advice and meet every deadline.

Start a housing-cost review

Use with the landlord, housing association or lender.

My housing account is [rent, mortgage or service charge] and the current balance is £[amount]. Income changed because [reason], and after essential costs I can pay £[amount] from [date]. Please provide a full statement, explain any notice or legal stage, review affordable options and refer me to your tenancy-sustainment or vulnerability team. I am also obtaining independent advice.

A practical checklist

  • Identify tenure and exact charge.
  • Download the full statement and notices.
  • Check housing-cost and Council Tax support.
  • Seek urgent advice for any notice or court date.

Check the current information

These are the most relevant official or specialist places to confirm live rules, availability and application details.

Housing advice — Shelter England

england.shelter.org.uk

Open official information
Find your local council — GOV.UK

gov.uk

Open official information
Housing and local services

gov.uk

Open official information

Rent arrears: first steps before panic takes over

The first actions when rent is late or unaffordable, from checking the balance to responding to a possession notice.

Read this guide

Mortgage support before you miss a payment

What to ask a mortgage lender before the account falls behind, including temporary options, interest effects and independent advice.

Read this guide

Discretionary Housing Payments: help when rent support is not enough

How to apply for temporary council help when Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover eligible housing costs.

Read this guide

Choose one next action

You do not need to finish everything today. Find a relevant organisation through National Help, or save the action you want to return to in your Support Plan.

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A few closely related starting points, chosen from the same support library.

Rent arrears: first steps before panic takes overThe first actions when rent is late or unaffordable, from checking the balance to responding to a possession notice.Mortgage support before you miss a paymentWhat to ask a mortgage lender before the account falls behind, including temporary options, interest effects and independent advice.Discretionary Housing Payments: help when rent support is not enoughHow to apply for temporary council help when Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover eligible housing costs.

Use this with a HiddenHelp tool

Turn the information into one manageable next step.

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HiddenHelp explains options and helps you organise a next step. It does not decide eligibility, make awards, or replace regulated legal, medical or financial advice.