Landlords, what do you do when tenants in financial difficulties ?

Tyler_Du

This is the situation, we (the wife and I) have a rental property and have been renting it out to a young working couple for the last year. They have been good tenants so far and we would like to keep them as tenants for as long as possible. I spoke to them tonight as its time for the annual Gas safety checks and boiler service, during the conversation the tenant let me know that he had recently lost his job. They haven't indicated that they cannot pay the rent, should we let them know that should it come to that we might be able to come to some arrangement. We don't want to intrude in their financial matters but do (if possible) want to keep them as (paying) tenants.

Paul_the_Painter

If they have been good tenants, it may only be a matter of being understanding if they need to make a housing benefit claim, this can take some time.

Housing benefit is also not paid monthly, but 2 weekly, so make sure your records are up to date and can handle payments at strange time of the month - possibly relating to strange dates.

SouthCoast

The LHA for your area can be found here:

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx

clutton_2

talk to them to show them that you will not instantly evict them... tenants in such situations can bury their heads in the sand and not address matters....

tbs624

Tyler_Durden_UK wrote: »

They haven't indicated that they cannot pay the rent, should we let them know that should it come to that we might be able to come to some arrangement. We don't want to intrude in their financial matters but do (if possible) want to keep them as (paying) tenants.

Thank them for letting you know and ask that they keep the lines of communication open if they are likely to have difficulties meeting the rent payments on time.

ericonabike

Good tenants don't become bad when they lose their jobs. Claiming HB/LHA can be a bureaucratic nightmare though, and will undoubtedly not come through as quickly as you or they would want [assuming they have no other income and are entitled to it]. But, assuming they are entitled, it will be backdated. As previous posters suggest, talking sympathetically but practically to them should bear fruit.

Voyager2002

In your situation, I would contact them and offer any assistance I could give in making a claim for LHA/Housing Benefit. For a start, they might not know that such a benefit exists.

N79

Well I disagree with the above so will offer the alternative view. If tenants don't pay their rent on time, then I would start eviction proceedings at the earliest opportunity (although I will wait for a G8S8 notice to be valid before going down that route).

If rent is up to date before a possession order is granted and provided the Ts pay my costs and have been previous "good" tenants (good Ts pay their rent on time!) and can pass re-referencing then I will stop the possession order.

vaporate

N79 wrote: »

Well I disagree with the above so will offer the alternative view. If tenants don't pay their rent on time, then I would start eviction proceedings at the earliest opportunity (although I will wait for a G8S8 notice to be valid before going down that route).

If rent is up to date before a possession order is granted and provided the Ts pay my costs and have been previous "good" tenants (good Ts pay their rent on time!) and can pass re-referencing then I will stop the possession order.

Surprise surprise lol

wrightk

N79 wrote: »

Well I disagree with the above so will offer the alternative view. If tenants don't pay their rent on time, then I would start eviction proceedings at the earliest opportunity (although I will wait for a G8S8 notice to be valid before going down that route).

If rent is up to date before a possession order is granted and provided the Ts pay my costs and have been previous "good" tenants (good Ts pay their rent on time!) and can pass re-referencing then I will stop the possession order.

good tenants are hard to find. Good landlords are even harder...

N79

theartfullodger wrote: »

Really wouldn't want to be taking possession action over Christmas, but ultimately I'm only in lettings for the money....

Festive greetings to all!

Artful

I know, it really doesn't feel good, but my staff still expect to be paid and if I don't earn any money then my family would be on the streets so I'm afraid that I have little (no) time for endless prevarication. I am not a social housing charity!

See MSEers, even us hard and evil LLs do feel some guilt when we have to take action to safeguard our businesses.