Arrears
Many households are worried about their finances, with lots of people now struggling to meet day to day living costs amidst rising food prices, fuel costs and more. The following topic provides you with advice if you are struggling to meet your housing costs.
2. Tenants (including social and private rent)
1. Financial inclusion team
Our financial inclusion team can provide anyone within East Lothian a wealth of advice and support including checking their benefit entitlement and more. Please visit the financial inclusion team for more information.
In addition, we have a wealth of information and support for residents struggling with the cost of living, please visit cost of living support.
2. Tenants
With the cost of living increasing, many people are finding it difficult to cover essential daily living costs. If you are struggling to pay your rent and you are a council tenant please visit help and advice. If you are a housing association tenant, please speak to your housing officer. You can find out more about your council rent and advice here.
If you are a private tenant and you are struggling with your rent, you should speak to your landlord straight away. You can also contact your local citizen’s advice bureau for support. If you are at risk of losing your home you should contact our Housing Options team on 01620 827 536. We may be able to negotiate on your behalf, so that you are not made homeless unnecessarily.
3. Home owners
If you are in arrears or you think you may fall into arrears with your mortgage, it is important that you talk to your lender straight away, because there are things that they can do to allow you to stay in your home. If you are at risk of losing your home you should contact our Housing Options team on 01620 827 536.
You may be entitled with help to meet the interest payments on your mortgage or apply to the mortgage to rent scheme.
Shelter Scotland's website has information on Mortgage Interest Relief or for more advice contact our Welfare Rights Team.
If you are in danger of losing your home, the council or a local housing association may be able to buy it through the mortgage to rent scheme, and rent it back to you as a tenant. We work with the Scottish Government to help households in mortgage difficulties to remain in their own homes.
Mortgage to Rent may not be the best option for everyone. To find out whether it is the right one for your situation, you must first obtain money advice from Citizens Advice. This is compulsory if you wish to apply for the scheme.
If you are a disabled home owner, you may be eligible for the Access Ownership scheme - allowing you to reduce your outgoings without having to move.
4. More support
If you are a parent, find out if you might be entitled to extra help:
- go to information on Free School Meals and Clothing Grants
- and information on help with childcare costs