Debt Awareness Week 2025: Where to go for help

Debt is an increasing issue with the cost-of-living crisis and other pressures seeing increasing numbers of people struggling to make ends meet. 

Next week marks the annual Debt Awareness Week an annual campaign organised by charity StepChange to raise awareness of the issue and signpost people to the support and advice they need.  

Just this week the NRLA revealed that almost half of all private renters in receipt of housing benefits experience a shortfall between the support they receive from government and their monthly rents – calling for the new freeze on payments to be reversed. 

We have also flagged potential issues with the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill legislation, which will allow tenants to build three months - rather than two months - of arrears before a landlord can start possession proceedings. We believe this will do nothing to encourage tenants to address arrears at an early, and more manageable, stage.

What can I do to support my tenant?  

If your tenant is falling into arrears there are a number of steps you can take, with NRLA guidance for members available here. 

The importance of good communication with your tenant is vital, with the guide outlining ways of managing arrears, for example coming up with workable repayments plans and support with welfare applications. It also includes information about Breathing Space debt moratoriums. 

The NRLA aslo runs an eClassroom training course on how to Manage Rent Arrears, which includes plenty of practical steps you can take as a landlord to help tenants, including details of grants and local authority funding available to tenants. 

Where else can I go for help?  

StepChange has a free online debt advice tool which is available 24 hours a day, and can give users practical, expert advice on how to deal with money worries. Click here to learn more.   

The Government’s Universal Credit website also has practical advice for landlords on supporting tenants to make a claim for Universal Credit.