Glossary · UK
What is Rent Arrears?
Rent that a tenant owes but has not paid by the due date, which can build up over time and trigger recovery action.
Full Definition
Rent arrears refers to any rent that a tenant has failed to pay by the date it was due under the tenancy agreement, whether that is a single missed payment or an accumulated shortfall built up over several months. For landlords, persistent or serious rent arrears (commonly two months' or eight weeks' worth, depending on the payment frequency) are one of the main statutory grounds for seeking possession under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, and arrears can also be pursued separately as a straightforward debt through the small claims track or money claim online, alongside or instead of a possession claim. For tenants, falling into arrears can affect a credit file if the debt is registered or a county court judgment is obtained, and it can also affect the return of a deposit at the end of the tenancy, since unpaid rent is one of the most common reasons landlords make deductions through a tenancy deposit scheme. Councils and housing associations often have arrears policies that involve early contact, payment plans and referral to money advice services before court action, reflecting guidance that eviction for arrears should be a last resort; a tenant struggling with arrears may also be able to seek a discretionary housing payment or negotiate a repayment plan rather than face possession proceedings. Landlords should keep a clear rent statement/ledger, since accurate records of exactly when and how much arrears built up are usually needed as evidence in court.