Applying with rent arrears
If you are applying to join the housing register but have more than £200 in rent arrears or housing-related debt, in line with our housing allocation scheme, your application will be suspended until:
- you provide evidence you have made a minimum of six months of regular repayments towards your debt/arrears, as part of an agreed payment plan.
- you have reduced your debt below £200
How to demonstrate your six month repayment history
There are a few ways you can show a consistent repayment history over six months:
- Set up and follow a repayment plan with your current landlord.
- If you're moving out, continue making repayments even after relocating - whether you're in temporary housing or staying with friends or family.
We're here to support you and can help advise you on a repayment plan that suits your circumstances and even liaise with your landlord on your behalf.
Why regular payments matter
Making regular repayments on your arrears shows that you’re serious about managing your debt. This not only helps get your housing register application approved but also improves your chances with future landlords.
Landlords understandably want to see that applicants can stick to a payment plan.
We work closely with registered housing providers, and they have told us they won’t offer homes to people with arrears unless there’s a consistent record of repayments.
Because of this, if we allowed applicants onto the housing register without a positive history of repayments, they could be offered a home only to be turned down later during landlord checks. After waiting on the register, being rejected at this stage would be incredibly disappointing.
It would also slow down the process for applicants without rent arrears or those with a positive payment history, creating unnecessary delays, additional administrative work, and avoidable disappointment for everyone involved.
To avoid this outcome, we require applicants to show at least six months of regular payments toward their arrears and ask that they maintain repayments during their time on the register, as this will be checked by landlords when they are offered a home.
This gives people the best possible chance of securing a home once one becomes available through the register.
Managing your debt when you are on the register
Once your application is live, there may still be a significant wait for housing, especially for larger homes.
Continuing to repay your arrears while you’re on the register is vital and will help you remain eligible to bid on properties and support your chances with future landlords.
As such you need to make sure you keep up with any repayment plan you put in place once your application is made live on the register - if you do not it is likely you will not be accepted by any future landlord.
Need help?
If you need help liaising with your landlord/ex-landlord to put in place an affordable repayment plan, please contact our housing team on housing.options@lichfielddc.gov.uk or speak to your case officer.