Rent Arrears the Fastest Growing UK Debt Problem

National debt advice charity the Money Advice Trust reports that rent arrears are now the fastest growing debt problem in the UK.  The number of calls to the charity’s National Debtline service from people with rent arrears has risen significantly since the economic crisis first hit in 2007. From January to October this year, the free advice helpline received nearly 20,000 calls for help from people with rent arrears, compared with just 8,000 over the same period in 2007 – an increase of 146 per cent. Calls from people with rent arrears have increased 37 per cent over the last two years, and 13 per cent in the last 12 months – more than any other debt type. Additionally, figures suggest renters have faced a growing number of broader debt problems, with renters now accounting for 57 per cent of total calls to National Debtline, compared to 43 per cent in 2010. Read more on the Money Advice Trust website.