What to Do About Being Late on Your Rent

Talk

to your landlord as soon as you know you’re going to have a problem paying your rent. Try to negotiate fairly, and get it in writing. If you need help working with your landlord or need advice on what to say, call one of the organizations listed below.

Cleveland Tenants Organization (216) 432-0614
Cleveland Mediation Center (216) 621-1919
Cleveland Housing Court (Cleveland and Bratenahl only) (216) 664-4295
Progressive Action Council (CMHA residents only) (216) 432-5536
Spanish American Committee (216) 961-2100

If you feel your landlord is not holding up his end of the bargain (such as not repairing things), you may notify the landlord in a letter and, if the landlord then fails to make timely repairs, you may deposit your rent with the Clerk of Court under Ohio’s rent deposit procedure. You may not withhold the rent from your landlord without depositing it with the Clerk of Court.

Try

to seek financial assistance from a social service organization, but do not rely on this. Eligibility is often very restrictive, and funding is not always available. You can call 211/First Call For Help at 216-436-2000 or 2-1-1 for information about available programs, such as PRC. However, please keep in mind that in any given year, help for housing payment assistance is limited and you may not qualify for it. In addition to social service organizations, you can try asking for help from family, friends or your house of worship.

Think

about why you were late on your rent. Is this a one-time thing because of an expense that came up (such as a car repair) or is it likely to be ongoing because of a change in income? Or, is the rent just too much for your income and expenses?

If you think this is likely to be an ongoing problem, try to find ways to increase your income, reduce your spending or think about moving to a place that is less expensive. Because moving costs can be high, it may be best to look for ways to reduce your expenses first.

Make sure

you’re taking advantage of the programs that can help you manage or reduce your expenses.

Have you…

Contacted your utility companies to get on payment plans?
Signed up for winter heating and summer cooling discounts?
Reduced or eliminated luxury items like DISH and Cable?
Eliminated extra features on your telephone and cell phone?
Signed up for food stamps or WIC if you qualify?
Worked with an organization to help you create a budget or manage debt/expenses?
Thought about taking in a roommate?

Remember,

the goal is to avoid eviction. If you are evicted, you may lose your security deposit and you may lose your belongings if you can’t move them in time. In addition, your eviction may appear on a future credit check, and the landlord may still have the right to collect the money you owe him!