Maldon District Council is committed to reducing homeless and rent arrears.  To avoid getting into rent arrears you should ensure that your Housing Benefit is used to pay your rent. 

However, if your rent is 8 weeks or more in arrears we will pay your Housing Benefit directly to your Landlord / Housing Association. 

If you are 8 weeks or more in arrears with your rent when you first apply for benefit we will make the first payment direct to your landlord (or managing agent).  This applies even if you have asked to receive the payments yourself.

After the arrears have been paid, the payments can then be made to you.

If you do not want payment to be made to your landlord you must show to us that your rent is not in arrears, showing us your rent book, rent receipts or via a letter from your landlord.

If you believe that you may be at risk of becoming homeless then you can click here to read more.