Remember if your debt is reducing in line with an agreement to repay no further action will be taken.

Step one:

An estate manager will send out a reminder asking for the amount owed to be paid immediately. If you are having trouble paying your rent you should contact the estate manager to discuss the problem.

You may also get a visit from one of the council's rent recovery assistants. An agreement to repay any debt will be made.

Step two:

You will be served with a Notice of Intention to Seek Possession. This is the first stage of legal action, which could lead to you losing your home.

After receiving this notice you have 28 days to pay off the whole debt or to make an agreement to pay it back in regular installments.

Step three:

If your debt increases, the estate manager will send a further letter warning that court action to repossess the house will begin. Even at this stage, you can still sort the situation out by contacting the estate manager and agreeing a repayment plan. If you are taken to court the costs can be in the region of £200 and you will have to pay these.

Step four:

Legal action will be started against you at the County Court. You will be invited to a court hearing at which the court can agree to repossess your home or order you to pay back what you owe and court costs in weekly payments.

Step five:

If you do not keep up with the terms of the court order The estate manager will apply for a warrant to remove you from the property. You will be charged for a warrant.  You can make an application to have a further court hearing, however you need to pay for this hearing and arrange it yourself with the County Court. The estate manager can advise you on this process.  If you lose your home because you have not paid the rent you will not usually be re-housed