I Have Been Evicted and Owe Money — What Now

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996, the council has a duty to take a Homelessness Application from anyone who is homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days. Go to the council's housing team in person, or phone, on the day of eviction. Take ID, the eviction order, and proof of any priority need (children, pregnancy, disability, mental health condition, leaving care, fleeing violence). The council must conduct a "relief" assessment within days and may offer interim accommodation if you are in priority need pending the full duty decision.

The bill usually contains: (a) rent arrears for the period you stayed without paying, (b) the daily "mesne profits" charge for the period between the notice expiring and eviction, (c) court fees and the landlord's costs (typically £355 court issue + £130 bailiff fee + £100-300 solicitor costs added to the order), and sometimes (d) damage charges. Each component can be challenged separately. The judgment is enforceable for 6 years from the date of the order under the Limitation Act 1980 s.24.

Ignoring a money judgment leads to enforcement: bailiffs (now called High Court Enforcement Officers if the judgment is over £600 and transferred), attachment of earnings, charging orders on your property if you have any, or third-party debt orders on your bank. If you genuinely cannot pay the lump sum, apply to the County Court on Form N245 to vary the order to monthly instalments — the fee is £15 (free with EX160 fee remission if on benefits). The court usually agrees a sensible monthly figure if you can show your income and outgoings.

Phone StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000), or your local Citizens Advice today. They can apply for a Breathing Space under the Debt Respite Scheme — 60 days of legal protection from creditor action (including enforcement of judgments) while you get advice. They can also help you decide between a Debt Management Plan, a Debt Relief Order (£90 fee, qualifying debts wiped after 12 months), an IVA, or bankruptcy depending on your circumstances.

A County Court Judgment for the debt sits on your credit file for 6 years from the date of judgment. If you pay in full within 30 days of the judgment, you can apply to "set aside" the entry so it does not appear at all. If you pay later, the entry can be marked "satisfied" but stays for the remaining 6 years. CCJs make it harder to rent privately (landlords credit-check), to get credit cards, mortgages, and some jobs. Plan around the 6-year clock.

Most private landlords reject applicants with active CCJs or recent eviction history. To rebuild: pay off or set aside the CCJ; ask former landlords (not the one who evicted you) for a written reference; consider council housing waiting lists (eviction for rent arrears does NOT automatically make you "intentionally homeless" if it was due to genuine hardship); use lettings agents who specialise in tenants with poor credit (they charge higher fees but accept the risk); offer a guarantor or 3 months' rent in advance if you can save it. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 caps rent in advance at one month — landlords cannot demand more once that part of the Act commences.

Universal Credit, Council Tax Support, free school meals, Discretionary Housing Payments — all are easier to claim once your situation is settled. If you are now in interim accommodation, the council may also help with a Discretionary Housing Payment to cover a deposit on a new private rental. The Household Support Fund administered by your council can sometimes provide a one-off grant for furniture or moving costs when you find a new place.