UK Bill Help

An inability to afford high rent prices is often cited as a main cause for homelessness. South Lanarkshire Council can assist with making sure that your family can gain access to affordable housing even if you are unable to afford the market rent prices.

Help with your housing costs can be provided as a public service when it is necessary for you to be able to gain access to a normally affordable rental property. Due to overwhelming demand and finite funding, there are some eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to be approved for financial aid.

Getting Approved for Housing Benefit

If you are already receiving this benefit then you more than likely qualify for some assistance with paying for your housing costs. Thousands of Lanarkshire families are now enrolled into it. This local as well as national housing benefit can provide you with the opportunity to live in your own dwelling. You will not have to pay an unreasonably high portion of your total income just to live in a safe housing unit.

Gaining approval for this benefit can be a challenge. You will have to complete an application and supply all of the necessary documentation. The review process is extensive, and you will need to prove that you qualify for and need housing benefit.

The application can be completed online at the Council’s website. An easier option is to simply call the Benefits and Council Tax Call Centre at 0303 123 1011. That way a representative can answer questions and provide guidance on applying for and qualifying for this government benefit. At the same time, you can ask about any other schemes that may be available.

Council Housing in South Lanarkshire

Private landlords often have many entry requirements that can make it more difficult to afford to move. Do you have the first month’s payment and security deposit that your landlord is demanding? Would you be required to also pay the last month’s rent?

You may have the option to pay council rent and avoid the challenges posed by renting from a private landlord. South Lanarkshire Council provides social housing to those who may otherwise struggle to pay the often excessive costs charged by private landlords.

Benefits of social housing include a relaxed security deposit, lower monthly rental prices and flexibility with payments. it can help prevent homelessness and allow people to afford their accommodations over the long term. Your rent is paid each fortnight, and you will normally get a payment holiday in July and December.

Reduced rent can be a major advantage to utilizing council housing. No matter what caused your hardship, it provides the individual time to get back on track. It allows you to make sure that you can pay all of your bills and even concentrate on saving money to use towards an eventual move into a private rental property. If you need help making that move, then the Council may be able to help you plan for those costs also.

Help with Rent Arrears

South Lanarkshire Council will require that you stay current on the rent you owe your landlord. This is critical to remaining in the programme. If you fall behind, the council maintains a “firm but fair” policy towards recovering your delinquent rent.

Any time that you are unable to make your housing payment on time and in full, you are encouraged to contact the Benefits and Council Tax Call Centre at 0303 123 1011. Employees will work with you to arrange a solution so that you can avoid the more aggressive tactics required against delinquent tenants who do not make an honest effort to repay their arrears.