Frequency of rent payments

Becca87_2

We moved into our house on 8th August. I assumed the rent would be due on 8th of each month, but recently discovered that it is due every four weeks. Is this a normal set-up? My calculations show that I will be paying rent 13 times per year, whereas my wage is paid to me 12 times per year. It's almost as if I'm paying for an extra month each year.

Our contract states that the rent is due every four weeks and we've signed it (serves me right for not reading thoroughly enough and questioning it at the time!), so there's nothing we can do legally. I simply wondered if this is an unusual case or not, as every landlord we've had previously has asked that the rent be paid on the same date each month.

G_M

If the contract states payment every 4 weeks then that is when you miust pay (though you're right, is is not usual).

What does it say the rent is though? £X per month?

If so, you can pro rata the rent so that over the year you pay what you originally expected (very complicated way to do things though)

Or does it say "Rent £X payable every 4 weeks"? In which case........

plane_boy2000

Afraid thats what you agreed to in the tennancy. Happened to my BIL - thought he had got a baragin as the rent was a bit cheaper than the others he looked at, then it dawned that he would be paying 13 time a year and not 12.

You could approach the landlord and ask to pay monthly instead, but that would obviously cost you more

Tigsteroonie

Becca87 wrote: »

My calculations show that I will be paying rent 13 times per year, whereas my wage is paid to me 12 times per year. It's almost as if I'm paying for an extra month each year.

The LL may prefer it that way because if he has any tenants claiming HB/LHA, that can be paid 4weekly.

I am luckier than you in that my setup is the other way round - I get paid every 4 weeks (so 13 times a year) but our rent is monthly, which means we get a month when wages don't have to go against the rent :cool:

Becca87_2

G_M wrote: »

Or does it say "Rent £X payable every 4 weeks"?

Yep, it says every 4 weeks.

Just been working it out with my OH. We'll end up getting to a point in a couple of months where the rent is due before either of us have even been paid. Yes we can set aside some money each month to cater for times like that, but we won't have enough of a surplus built up for when we need it in a couple of months' time. Gonna have to talk to the landlord. He might agree to us paying monthly, but that takes us into a situation where we're paying more per month than I think this property is worth, and also more than we'd planned for. All seems very sneaky to me...

jjlandlord

Becca87 wrote: »

Yep, it says every 4 weeks.

There's one thing on the upside, though.

Should you fall into rent arrears your landlord would not be able to use ground 8 on a section 8 notice: That is to say he would not a compulsory ground by which a court would have to evict you.

He might not even be aware of that...