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Updated October 12, 2026 · 6-minute read

Behind on rent? What to do now

Falling behind on rent is scary, but most landlords would rather get paid than go to court. Act early, and you have more options.

Do these this week

  1. Talk to your landlord before the rent is late if you can. Offer a plan.
  2. Look for rental assistance: dial 211 or visit 211.org.
  3. Call a free housing counselor at 800-569-4287.
  4. Got court papers? Don't ignore them. Respond by the deadline and go to court.

1. Talk to your landlord

The CFPB notes that it's very rare for a landlord to prefer evicting you over getting paid. Starting the conversation is often the hardest part.

"I want to stay, and I want to get caught up. I can pay $____ now and $____ with each paycheck until I'm current. I've also applied for rental assistance. Can we put a plan in writing?"

Get any agreement in writing, even a text or email, and keep copies of every payment.

2. Find rental assistance

Rent help is handed out by state, local and tribal organizations, not one national office. To find what's open near you:

After you apply, it can take several weeks for the money to arrive, so apply as soon as you know you'll be short. Tell your landlord you've applied.

3. Get free help from a housing counselor

HUD-approved housing counselors are free and can help you budget, talk to your landlord and find assistance. Call 800-569-4287 or find one near you. Ask for an agency that lists "rental" counseling.

4. If you get eviction court papers

  • Don't ignore them. Too many renters give up before they ever get to court.
  • Respond by the deadline. You can file a written answer explaining your situation and disagree with anything that's untrue.
  • Ask the court clerk about your deadline, your court date, mediation, and whether you have a right to a lawyer.
  • Tell the judge if you've applied for rental assistance. A judge may delay the case while your application is processed.
  • Servicemembers can ask to pause a court eviction for up to 90 days.

5. Get free legal help

Based on your income, you may qualify for free legal aid. Find it at LawHelp.org or through your local bar association. Some states and cities also have extra protections that can delay an eviction while you get help. A legal aid office can tell you what applies where you live.

Free up money for rent

Use our guide to which bills to pay first: housing comes first. Then see if you can lower your phone, insurance or bank fees with the Lower My Bills check, or get help with energy bills through LIHEAP.

Want it all on paper?

The Hard Month Kit includes a hardship letter template, call scripts and a 30-day cash plan to help you catch up.

The Hard Month Kit · $9Free Budget Starter

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Sources

Checked October 12, 2026. Programs change their rules. Confirm with the program before you rely on a date or amount. Found something wrong? Email help@billhelpnow.com.