Letting & Estate Agent Podcast Rent arrears and the £1.7B solution - Ep. 2382
Nov 9, 2025
Julie Ford, a letting agent consultant, shares her expertise on tackling the £1.7 billion rent arrears challenge in the UK. She reveals little-known council and charity funds that can help tenants stay in their homes and prevent homelessness. Julie emphasizes the importance of rapport with housing departments and offers tips for agents on how to access these funds effectively. She discusses the cost benefits for councils in preventing evictions and stresses the need for timely communication with tenants after missed payments.
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Hidden £1.7B Rent Relief Pool
- There is about £1.7 billion each year available to clear tenant rent arrears from councils and charities.
- Councils prefer paying arrears to avoid costly homelessness duties that average ~£32,000 per case.
Fast Results From Case-by-Case Applications
- Julie describes dozens of case-by-case applications where councils and charities quickly clear rent arrears.
- She notes funds often pay within weeks, saving time and reducing total arrears compared with court routes.
Build Relationships With Housing Officers
- Build a strong rapport with local housing officers to discuss cases and speed access to funds.
- Look up council fund availability on local government sites and present tenant cases proactively.