Help with paying your rent for private tenants

Information

You may be eligible for tax relief on part of your rent, if you are living in private rented accommodation and pay income tax.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent you may apply for Rent Supplement.  The rules for Rent Supplement are complex. You will not get Rent Supplement if you are in full-time employment, however, you may be able to retain your Rent Supplement if you have been unemployed for 12 months and are returning to work.

Living in private rented accommodation you pay rent either directly to your landlord or to an agent on behalf of the landlord. Usually the amount of rent payable is negotiated between you and the landlord at the start of the tenancy. Your landlord should record all rent payments in your rent book.

If your landlord wants to increase the rent he or she must follow certain procedures. Find out more about rent increases.