Tenants didn't pay the rent

Fergie73

I have to admit, Squat has a point, even though (s)he didn't exactly put it well.

I got into a serious disupte with a landlord, involving me withholding rent because there were things that needed fixed which weren't done because he was always too skint. If you're reliant on a tenant always paying on time or else you personally start hitting charges, you're running massive risks on your side and also not being very professional as a landlord from the tenant's side. One down-side/risk of being a land-lord is that tenant's won't pay, or will trash the place, or there'll be repairs needing done. If you're not in a position to cope with this, you should think pretty seriously about whether you're doing the right thing, imo.

In my case, his inability to fix things led to an escalation where he wasn't getting rent and couldn't afford not to - how would you cope if you ended up in that position?

clearmydebts

Fergie73 wrote: »

I have to admit, Squat has a point, even though (s)he didn't exactly put it well.

I got into a serious disupte with a landlord, involving me withholding rent because there were things that needed fixed which weren't done because he was always too skint. If you're reliant on a tenant always paying on time or else you personally start hitting charges, you're running massive risks on your side and also not being very professional as a landlord from the tenant's side. One down-side/risk of being a land-lord is that tenant's won't pay, or will trash the place, or there'll be repairs needing done. If you're not in a position to cope with this, you should think pretty seriously about whether you're doing the right thing, imo.

In my case, his inability to fix things led to an escalation where he wasn't getting rent and couldn't afford not to - how would you cope if you ended up in that position?

With all due respect Fergie, I have never once said in this thread that I would withold repairs. I don't even know where this is coming from? Please read through it again.

I would always make necessary repairs. In fact last month, the agency contacted us to say that the light in the sitting room had broken and we released money straight away to replace it for the tenants. The tenants asked if they could pick the replacement (presumably so it would match things in the sitting room) and they were given the money to do this.

I furnished my flat to an extremely high standard, matching cushions with furniture and spending time picking nice accessories for the bathroom and nice canvases for the wall. As I previously said, everything (from the electric shower to the dishwasher) has a 5 year warranty so we won't be hit with extra payments and also to ensure that we can cover these expenses as we have a duty to our tenants.

My question at the very beginning was - has anyone ever been through this or if anyone had any advice on it?

I am really annoyed that people hijack a thread and start making up stuff that wasn't even said.

clutton_2

If they get to be two months in arrears ( ie on the 32nd day after the last rent day) get the LA to issue the tenant with a Section 8 notice immediately - that will show the tenant that you are dealing professionally with their breach of contract

clearmydebts

Thanks for that Clutton, will do that and will read up some more on it so I know what I am talking about.

Hopefully it won't come to that but it doesn't sound that good if they aren't answering the phone. The only thing I can think of is if they are on holidays and it is a bank problem (which another poster suggested).

moneysavinmonkey

Hopefully your tenants have just suffered some banking anomaly and you'll get your money soon enough but it could be that they have done a runner/fallen on hard times and it could take you a while to get money out of them and/or get your place back...I believe that you can buy insurance against non-payment of rent so perhaps if you are very dependant upon rental income you might look into this...

I have to say on this forum/board I find it bizarre that people demand a strict 'readers questions'/agony aunt style service.... every other forum I go on people have a bit of a chat around a common subject and air their views if they feel like it. On here if anyone deviates or doesn't strictly offer the OP advice (sometimes even just the advice they want to hear!) they get flamed!!! why can't people just chat a bit, if they add something helpful to the OP then that's a bonus and they get thanked!!

clearmydebts

Thankfully we do have landlord inurance. The agency told us that part of the fee we pay them every month goes towards that. We didn't know that this morning but are grateful to have it. It would probably take a while to pay out though.

I don't mind a general chat at all. I just don't like the way the previous poster hadn't read the full thread, got the wrong end of the stick and presumed I was going to start witholding repairs. I think if you are going to comment than it is only fair to get the general idea of what is going on.

I think I was right to be called an 'amateur landlord'. I certainly think I am one, but it was never my ambition to be one. I would prefer to be in my own flat than renting myself but sometimes life takes you in a different direction.

However, all comments welcome.

moneysavinmonkey

clearmydebts wrote: »

Thankfully we do have landlord inurance. The agency told us that part of the fee we pay them every month goes towards that. We didn't know that this morning but are grateful to have it. It would probably take a while to pay out though.

I don't mind a general chat at all. I just don't like the way the previous poster hadn't read the full thread, got the wrong end of the stick and presumed I was going to start witholding repairs. I think if you are going to comment than it is only fair to get the general idea of what is going on.

I think I was right to be called an 'amateur landlord'. I certainly think I am one, but it was never my ambition to be one. I would prefer to be in my own flat than renting myself but sometimes life takes you in a different direction.

However, all comments welcome.

I've reread Fergie73's comments to which I think you are referring + I dont think he was saying you should/would start withholding repairs - the situation was the opposite way around to this.

:beer: for having landlord insurance
:eek: for paying for it without even knowing you had it!

clutton_2

""if they aren't answering the phone"" - it always means they are in financial difficulties - trust me.

instruct YOUR agent to issued a Section 8 notice immediately the law allows them to - take control of Your agent and dont let the tenant start to take the mick

the section 8 notice simply tells the tenant if they are not up to date in 2 weeks, you will issue court proceedings to have them evicted - in all probability they will talk to you then

Zelie

How long have they been renting for? I recall my landlord calling up enquiring about the rent one month because I'd initially rented for a certain period (can't remember if it was the 6 month mark or the year) and had set my standing order up for the period of rental only. After it was finished I decided to stay on but because I'd forgotten I'd put a final date on the standing order, naturally the rent didn't get paid.

Rent can be unpaid for many reasons, often due to genuine slipups. At the moment I'd be inclined to hang fire and see what happens wrt to the letter - especially as it's holiday season. You can start considering the legal stuff if you get no joy but if they are generally good tenants and you've had no other issues then it might be wisest to take a more chilled out approach for a few weeks.

Microstar_2

Not paying and not answering phone? If it were one of my properties I'd be straight round there (or send someone round) to check that all is well. They COULD be on hols, but could also have done a runner...