Terminal illness

fishpond

My tenant, who is single, also without a partner, has just been diagnosed with cancer.
It appears at the moment that he will not ask for financial help from the state, he also has no savings.
He is a very good tenant and is on a periodic tenancy and has been for over 3 years.
We have a friendly relationship with each other and he is a really nice guy.
BUT
I need the income that the rent provides, there will be a time (I do not think it will be a long time coming, even though the consultant hasn't had an interview with him yet) when he will be unable to work --therefore no income--therefore no rent, no bills paid etc. What happens then?
Has anybody got any idea what happens about the bills, rent, council tax etc.
I have never been in this position before and do not wish to be seen as cold and callous .
What can be done ?

moneyistooshorttomention

Difficult situation to be in.

Is he over 35? If he isn't and has a self-contained flat housing benefit won't cover all the rent. If he is 35 plus agegroup then I believe full rent only gets covered for those who are paying amongst the lowest third??? of rents for that particular area.

I certainly recall thinking that it must be the case by now that most tenants don't get their rent paid in full (even if they are over 35) by now because of all the cuts on any excuse possible that have been made in rent money payable over recent years.

You would need to look up the Local Housing Allowance level payable by your tenants' Council to see how much of his rent would be payable as housing benefit (assuming he is safely over 35). Hopefully, it will match the level of rent you charge and he is considered to be in the "adult" agegroup and there won't be a problem and all his rent will be covered okay by housing benefit.

I_have_spoken

Should be able to get income-based ESA and then HB if his income ceases and has less than £6000 savings

richardw

Your prime status has now changed from 'landlord' to 'compassionate friendly human being' just accept the change and do all you can to help your tenant at this time.

moneyistooshorttomention

I think that's a bit harsh to expect landlord to be prepared to accept lower income because of something happening to someone else. Its part of his income and maybe he also downright needs the money or he would have financial problems - its not possible to tell.

No-one's finances should be affected for the worse because of something that happens to someone else.

Hopefully, all will be well and the rent will be paid in full okay by housing benefit and the landlord can both maintain his normal income AND be a decent/compassionate person treating his tenant in a normal/friendly/helpful fashion and won't be expected to choose between the two options.

Beckyy

He may have life insurance?

Dunroamin

Beckyy wrote: »

He may have life insurance?

Presumably when he dies the OP will get a new tenant.

chickaroonee

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Difficult situation to be in.

Is he over 35? If he isn't and has a self-contained flat housing benefit won't cover all the rent. If he is 35 plus agegroup then I believe full rent only gets covered for those who are paying amongst the lowest third??? of rents for that particular area.

I certainly recall thinking that it must be the case by now that most tenants don't get their rent paid in full (even if they are over 35) by now because of all the cuts on any excuse possible that have been made in rent money payable over recent years.

You would need to look up the Local Housing Allowance level payable by your tenants' Council to see how much of his rent would be payable as housing benefit (assuming he is safely over 35). Hopefully, it will match the level of rent you charge and he is considered to be in the "adult" agegroup and there won't be a problem and all his rent will be covered okay by housing benefit.

I'm not sure this is completely correct, sometimes other benefits are payable to those who are terminally ill. A Macmillan nurse, as suggested, would be in the best place to advise the tenant.

It sounds as if they've only just found out, why not just give them space to come to terms with what has happened and then go from there. Legally you can't do anything else anyway.

moneyistooshorttomention

PasturesNew wrote: »

Most single/alone people don't have this. Life assurance is to help those left behind by your death. If you're single/alone there's no point.

Maybe what this poster means is that there IS insurance cover available that will pay out to people whilst they are alive to cover the costs of illness/lost income because of illness?

It's certainly possible and worthwhile to have that sort of cover. I had a friend who went self-employed at one point and I persuaded them to take out accident and illness cover with a friendly society to ensure that they would still receive their normal expected income level if they became ill. They did this and did duly claim against it when they had a couple of bouts of illness that stopped them working for a while.

juliep58

If he would claim benefits he would/could be entitled to DLA/PIP.

richardw

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think that's a bit harsh to expect landlord to be prepared to accept lower income because of something happening to someone else. ....

BUT they aren't just 'someone else' are they?