Should I pay rent or energy bill?
When money’s tight and there’s not enough to cover everything, knowing what to pay first can feel impossible. But if you’re facing the reality that you can’t pay all bills, it’s important to pause, breathe, and take a structured look at your situation.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand which bill to pay first and why – and how to get support with those you’re struggling to pay. Whether it’s rent, energy bills, or credit card debt, you’re not alone in this. Many households across the UK are facing similar challenges, and help is available.
Understanding priority and non-priority bills
Some bills have more serious consequences if you don’t pay them. These are known as priority debts, not because they’re more important in general, but because missing them could lead to severe outcomes like losing your home or being taken to court.
Priority bills include:
- Rent or mortgage
- Council tax
- Gas and electricity
- TV licence
- Court fines.
Non-priority bills include:
- Credit cards
- Store cards
- Overdrafts or personal loans
- Subscription services
- Buy now, pay later.
While it can feel counterintuitive to ignore mounting credit card bills or personal loan demands, those typically don’t lead to immediate or severe action. Focusing your limited resources on priority bills helps you stay in control and avoid long-term harm.
Why rent should usually come first
If you’re renting, keeping a roof over your head is the top priority. Falling behind on rent can put you at risk of eviction, especially if you owe two months or more. Your landlord could serve a Section 8 notice, which begins the legal process of ending your tenancy.
That said, if you’re struggling to pay rent, don’t wait. Talk to your landlord as soon as possible. They might be willing to agree to a payment plan or give you some breathing space while you seek help.
There’s also support available. You may be eligible for:
- Housing Benefit (if you’re of pension age or receive certain benefits)
- Universal Credit housing costs
- A Discretionary Housing Payment from your local council.
When energy bills become a priority
Gas and electricity bills are also considered priority debts. If you don’t pay, your supplier could eventually disconnect your energy supply – although this is rare and only happens after multiple warnings.
More commonly, you could be moved to a prepayment meter or have debt added to future bills. Energy debt can build quickly, especially in colder months when usage goes up.
Help is available. You may be able to:
- Set up a payment plan with your supplier
- Apply for a fuel voucher if you’re on a prepayment meter
- Access grants or energy support schemes.
For example, some energy providers offer hardship funds or discount schemes, including the Warm Home Discount, which can reduce your bill if you’re eligible. It’s also worth checking if you’re on the right tariff or entitled to extra support as a vulnerable customer.
Many suppliers offer help for vulnerable customers. For example, if someone in your household is elderly, disabled or has a long-term health condition, you might qualify for extra help.
How to prioritise your bills step by step
As mentioned previously, some bills are higher priority than others, meaning they have more serious consequences if left unpaid. To help you prioritise your bills and work out which debt to pay off first, you can try our bill prioritiser tool.
When your income doesn’t stretch to everything, it can also help to follow these steps:
- List all your bills and debts, including amounts and due dates
- Highlight priority bills – rent, energy, council tax, court fines
- Work out what money you have coming in from wages, benefits, pensions
- Create a realistic budget using what’s left for essential living costs
- Speak to creditors about payment plans.
What if I can’t afford to pay anything?
If your income simply isn’t enough to cover even the essentials, it may be a sign that you need professional debt support. This might mean exploring formal debt solutions, for example:
- A Debt Management Plan (DMP) to combine your debt included in the DMP to one affordable monthly payment
- An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), which can reduce what you owe and write off debt included in the IVA after making repayments for a fixed term
- Breathing Space, a government scheme that gives you temporary legal protection from creditor action while you get help.
How to stay on track going forward
Once you’ve prioritised your bills and taken any necessary action, the next step is staying on top of things.
Here are a few tips:
- Set reminders for payment dates
- Open letters and emails as they arrive
- Keep a list of who you owe and what you’ve agreed
- Review your budget monthly to check for changes.
If your circumstances change – whether that’s a drop in income or a new expense – revisit your budget and reach out for help early.
Focus on what matters most
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when you can’t pay all the bills. But by focusing on what will protect your home, essential services and wellbeing, you can make confident decisions even during a crisis.
Remember – rent and energy are usually the bills to deal with first. Credit cards and other unsecured debts, while still important, can be dealt with once the basics are covered.
If you need help managing your debt or prioritising your bills in the UK, you can get free advice through MoneyHelper. Or, contact MoneyPlus to talk through your situation. We’ll help you make a plan that fits your reality without judgement.
