Letter template: contact your landlord about rent arrears

Use this letter to make an agreement about repaying your rent arrears.

Before contacting your landlord, check our advice on dealing with rent arrears.

Copy and paste this sample text and personalise it with your details.

Subject: Rent arrears repayment proposal

To <your landlord's name>

I’m writing to you about the rent that I owe.

I’ve experienced financial difficulties because <why you could not pay>.

I'm taking steps to improve my situation, including <example: applying for benefits / actively seeking work / getting debt advice>.

I've sought advice about my budget, and I'll be able to pay <£xx> each month towards the arrears. I will pay this on top of my normal rent until the arrears are cleared.

I appreciate this is a difficult situation for both of us and I hope that we can agree on a suitable plan. I look forward to your response.

Thank you

<your name>

You can also send the letter as an email attachment or through the post:

Word template: rent arrears repayment proposal (docx, 15 kb)
OpenDocument template: Rent arrears repayment proposal (odt, 8 kb)

Where to send your letter or email

If you rent from a private landlord, their contact information should be in your tenancy agreement or on the Scottish landlord register.

If you rent from the council or a housing association, their contact information will be in your tenancy agreement.

Last updated: 16 February 2024