Paying rent
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
Whether you're a council, housing association or housing co-operative tenant or a private tenant, you pay rent in return for living in your home. This section looks at how rent is paid and what you can do if your rent goes up or you can't afford to pay your rent.
If you are on benefits or a low income, you may be entitled to housing benefit to help you pay your rent.
If you don't pay your rent, you run the risk of being evicted, so if you're in danger of falling behind with your payments, get advice immediately. Use the Advice Services Directory to find details of a Shelter advice centre, Citizens Advice or other advice centre in your area.
Overview of rent issues
This section provides an introduction to paying rent to a landlord. It explains what rent includes, and what you may be able to do if you're not happy with the amount of rent your landlord asks for.
Rent in advance
Most private landlords ask new tenants to pay rent in advance. This page explains what rent in advance is for and what to do if you cannot afford to pay it.
Rent increases
In certain circumstances it is possible for landlords to increase your rent. This section explains when and how rent can be increased and what you can do if you disagree with the rent increase.
Fair rents
This page applies to you if you are a regulated tenant or a housing association tenant who has been a tenant with the housing association since before 1989. It explains how to apply to a rent officer for a fair rent, how fair rents are determined and how increases can be introduced.
Rent and the PRHP
Certain types of tenants can appeal to the private rented housing panel (PRHP) if they disagree with a rent increase. The PRHP takes the place of the Rent Assessment Panel, and works in the same way.
Withholding rent
In some circumstances you may wish to withhold your rent to try and force your landlord to do something, or because you have paid out money that the landlord hasn't reimbursed. However, this can be a risky strategy.
