What to do if…
you get a final notice for rent or mortgage and you cannot pay on time

What to do now

1. Work out where in the UK you are and what kind of “final notice” this is.
   Put the letter in front of you and identify whether you’re in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland and whether this is:

   • a payment demand/arrears letter, or
   • a formal notice ending your tenancy / seeking possession, or
   • court papers, or
   • enforcement/eviction appointment paperwork.
     (Processes and notice names differ across the UK.)

2. Send a short written message today (email/text) and keep a copy.
   Say: you received the final notice, you cannot pay in full by the deadline, what you can pay and when, and that you want to agree a plan. Ask them to confirm in writing and to pause escalation while you get advice.

   • If you can pay something now (even a small amount), pay it and state it in the message.

3. If it’s rent: take one concrete step that reduces eviction risk.

   • Keep paying your current rent if you can, even if you can’t clear the arrears yet.
   • If you’re in England or Wales and the paperwork mentions Section 8 rent arrears grounds, get urgent housing advice about how much you need to reduce arrears by and by when.

4. If you need help with rent: apply for the “fast” support routes that exist in your area.

   • If you get Housing Benefit or get help with housing costs through Universal Credit, ask your local council about a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) and apply immediately if offered.
   • If you do not get those benefits, still contact your council and ask what hardship or housing support is available locally.

5. If it’s mortgage: call your lender’s arrears/support team today and ask for temporary affordability options.
   Ask what they can offer right now and what evidence they need. If your lender follows the Mortgage Charter, ask what Charter-style support options are available in your circumstances (for example, changes that reduce payments for a period or spread payments over longer).

6. Get urgent free help before you negotiate further.
   Contact a free adviser as soon as you can:

   • If you rent: a housing adviser (for example Shelter or Citizens Advice).
   • If you have mortgage arrears: a free debt adviser and/or housing adviser.
     If you are in England or Wales, ask a debt adviser whether Breathing Space is appropriate. It can give temporary protection on many debts for up to 60 days, but it does not remove arrears and you’ll usually still need to keep up ongoing rent/mortgage payments.

7. If you have court papers or a hearing date, act immediately.
   Do not miss response deadlines or hearings. In England and Wales, you can access Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service legal help once you have written notice that someone is seeking possession of your home.

8. If you could lose your home soon, contact the right public body now (don’t wait).

   • England/Wales: contact your local council’s homelessness team if you are at risk of homelessness soon (including if you have a notice or court papers).
   • Scotland: contact your local council housing options/homelessness service as soon as you’re at risk of eviction.
   • Northern Ireland: contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

9. Make a 10-minute “proof pack.”
   Save/photograph: the notice, tenancy agreement or mortgage statement, your last 3 bank balance screenshots (or statements), and the messages you send/receive. Keep them together so you can forward quickly to advisers/council/lender.