Rent arrears totalling £6,000 written off

Colin was living in a room in a shared house and was in rent arrears. He had managed to find a new property – a studio flat – but did not have the resources to pay his first month’s rent or the rent deposit.

How CHAC helped

We advised Colin to make a homeless application to Canterbury City Council. The Council agreed to pay the first month’s rent and the rent deposit. We liaised with the Council and the agents acting for the landlord and Colin was able to sign the tenancy and move into the property. At the same time, we also began negotiations with the landlord of Colin’s old property.

The outcome

We were able to secure an agreement with Colin’s former landlord for his tenancy to be surrendered without giving notice and for his rent arrears of £6,000 to be written off.  

We also helped Colin claim council tax support and to arrange for his Universal Credit housing costs to be paid direct to his new landlord. This helped ensure that Colin would not fall into rent arrears again.

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