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People with an emergency may be able to find Edinburgh programmes that can help with paying rent arrears and related housing expenses. There are resources from local councils, charities, free legal aid, and not-for profit organisations. More details on the services and benefits in the area are below.

Many of the agencies will offer free legal advice and suggestions to clients. So they will in effect provide individuals or low income people with solutions for their rent arrears. The individual will need to apply for assistance and meet the terms in place for the different Edinburgh centres.

People may also be able to benefit from the discretionary housing payment or the Scottish Welfare fund. Both of these operate in the form of a grant and can help address rent arrears. The goal is to provide the person time to get back on track with their finances. So any find aid available is usually very short term.

Community Help Advice Initiative, or CHAI, administers housing services. One of the key resources they offer is homeless and eviction prevention. This programme provides many different services to clients, including some of the following.

An individual or low income family that owes rent arrears will partner with a case worker as part of the Advice Team. They will explore various options that may be available, including housing or emergency rent payments, legal aid, and the case worker will advise on other debts as well. Priority is for people facing imminent eviction. Call 0131 442 1009, or get more information on housing from Community Help Advice Initiative.

Find help with rental costs from councils and housing authorities

City Of Edinburgh Council – Most of the services are provided by the Housing Options Team. They offer a number or programmes, with a focus on the homeless and people that are facing evictions. Some of the main resources include the Community Care and Crisis Grants, as well as discretionary housing payment.

While a number of conditions are in place, the aid, which can sometimes be used for paying rent, requires people to be receiving Pension Credits, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or some other type of government support.

The discretionary payment is for income qualified individuals if their government housing benefit doesn’t pay for all of their monthly rent expense. The fund is limited and is for an emergency only, and many families are denied access to this rental assistance. The council can be reached at 1 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BJ. Phone 0131 529 7342.

Additional assistance from not-for-profit organisations in Edinburgh

Many charities operate in the city of Edinburgh or nearby towns. They work to help those that are struggling with their monthly rent payments. Tenants can receive free advice or referrals to possible solutions.

The City Mission is mostly focused on the homeless. However, the volunteers from the charity will also provide advice and direct help in applying for financial aid. There is information on support including from rent programmes or other housing services from their Care Van. Many people in housing need in Edinburgh call on the charity, and read more Edinburgh City Mission.

Community Help and Advice Initiative, or CHAI, provides help to people facing eviction. They operate in North, South and the Western portion of Edinburgh. Assistance provided includes counselling and information on how to increase income, among other services. If a client can both budget more effectively and maximise their household income, this can help them pay down any rent arrears that may due to their landlord.  Learn more on support available from Community Help & Advice Initiative housing solutions.

Cyrenians Homelessness Prevention Service – Landlord and tenant mediation is available for individuals that can’t pay their rent on time or that are having difficulty with maintaining their accommodation. The goal is to find a solution that prevents homelessness. This will also include exploring social welfare programmes or national schemes that may be available for rental costs. The address is Norton Park, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY. Telephone number is 0131 475 2354. Or find more information Cyrenians homeless services.

Edinburgh City Youth Café can provide support on issues ranging from housing benefits to homelessness. They also administer resettlement and can direct youth to rental schemes and programmes to pay for their private accommodations. 6 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL, Phone 0131 220 2108.

Edinburgh Housing Advice Partnership – The agency will match people to rent and housing programmes as well as other services. While they do focus on older people and elderly, others can get help too. The goal is to help all families and people obtain affordable private accommodations in the Edinburgh area.

They also welcome council tenants that are struggling to pay the rent due to their landlord on time. Advice from EHAP is also available to help people maximise their housing benefits, among other services. Call the organisation at 0845 302 4607.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid can help women suffering from domestic abuse or young people and children. They offer information on housing benefits, options, legal aid, and outreach. The not-for profit works to prevent homelessness in Edinburgh and help women pay rent in an emergency, when needed. There may also be temporary accommodation. 4 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB. Phone – 0131 315 8110.

Granton Information Centre offers advice and information to clients. Get help with employment, money and debt problems, information on fuel costs, and of course housing payment services. Address is 134-138 West Granton Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1PE, Phone 0131 552 0458.

Homelessness Prevention Service (HPS) – Offers assistance to tenants that are having problems with landlords. There is also help for people with mortgage or rent arrears. Other bills and budgeting advice is provided too. This is available across the city and is a flexible programme. Call 0131 475 2556 for referrals.

Ethnic Minority Law Service – Solicitors offer advice to immigrants, ethnic minorities and refugees. They can handle housing discrimination, provide referrals to resources for dealing with emergency rent arrears, and coordinate other legal support. Office is at 103 Morrison Street, Telephone 0131 229 2038.

Rock Trust assists young people. The Edinburgh charity offers a mainstay service. This will help a young person set up a new home and seek funds for their rent. Other programmes range from emergency shelter to Nighstopt and 2 years worth of housing assistance from Bedrock. Learn how Rock Trust housing supports young people in the city.

Legal aid for housing problems

While not a form of direct financial assistance, many solicitors can also provide support to tenants. People on a low income can learn about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to evictions or unsafe housing. Some lawyers will even help the landlord and tenant mediate a dispute to any rent arrears that may be owed.

Civil Legal Assistance Office Edinburgh (CLAOE), which is located at the Picardy Place centre is another option. Free legal aid is for people in the Lothians and also of course city of Edinburgh. Referrals may also be offered to rent and other housing payment schemes. For information, call the office at 0131 240 1960.

Legal Advice Centre of Edinburgh University – This is a clinic that is offered a couple times per week at most, and hours vary widely. Lawyers and students can provide free advice on housing matters, property disputes, lease interpretation, and eviction defense. Call 07799 724648.

SLAB – Scottish Legal Aid Board can help people find a solicitor. They can also offer guidance on whether someone qualified for free legal aid. The phone number is 0845 122 8686.