What to do if your flatmate can’t pay their rent

Are you responsible for the mortgage? Or perhaps you live with a friend or partner and you're both paying rent to a landlord but you find yourself paying their share. Whichever situation you are in, you might be wondering how to deal with it best.

Talk to your flatmate

The last thing you should do is ignore the problem. Try to have a conversation with the person who isn't paying their rent. There's a chance they haven't realised that they missed the deadline. Maybe they feel embarrassed that they can't pay the rent.

If they're struggling financially - for example if they were recently made unemployed or their hours were reduced - then you could encourage them to look into what benefits are available.

Available help includes:

• Universal Credit, which could help them pay their rent
• Local council hardship funds

Regardless, calmly try to find out if there is a problem and see if you can come up with a solution together. If this is a bigger issue that you can't deal with on your own, then you may need to take it a step further.

To prevent money worries from impacting your relationship, you could:

1. Communicate clearly as soon as they stop paying their share
2. Have an open discussion about financial expectations
3. Create a written agreement about shared expenses
4. Use free budget planning tools and apps to track expenses

Remind them of their obligations, but be supportive. Maybe they just need a few weeks to get the money together. Set clear boundaries about what you're willing to accept and for how long.

If you share accommodation and have a private landlord

Check your contract to see what liability you have:

• Joint tenancy agreements mean all tenants are equally responsible for paying the rent. If you have a joint agreement and the rent isn't completely covered, you risk eviction.
• Individual tenancy agreements mean each tenant is only responsible for their share of the rent. That means that if your flatmate can’t pay their share, you’re not at risk of eviction.

Most landlords must now provide at least two months' notice before starting eviction proceedings, but it's still critical to address rent issues promptly.

Check your contract carefully, speak to your landlord and seek legal advice if needed. For information about your rights, contact Citizens Advice. They now offer both digital consultations and in-person appointments.

Claiming back rent from your flatmate

If you had to cover someone else's share of the rent and you don't think you'll be paid back, you have options:

Small Claims Court (also called Money Claims Online):

• Current limit is up to £10,000 in England and Wales
• Court fees start around £35 for claims up to £300
• Fees increase based on the amount claimed

Before going to court:

• Inform the person of your intentions
• Consider mediation services (often more cost-effective)
• Get advice about making a court claim

There's no guarantee this will work in your favour and it could cost more than you're owed. Think carefully before going ahead – it could cost more than you're owed, and there's no guarantee you'll win.

Where to get tenancy advice

If you're unsure about your rights or need help dealing with a difficult housing situation, these services offer free, unbiased advice:

• Citizens Advice Bureau (via their website or helpline)
• Housing charities like Shelter

Where to get help with bills

If you or your flatmate are struggling to cover household costs, these schemes may be able to support you:

• Energy assistance programs
• Cost-of-living support schemes