Probably Panicking For No Reason

xsinaftersinx

I need some advice if possible as I’m a bit worried. Basically, my rent is due on the 28th of each month, I get paid on the last working day of the month. Ordinarily it’s not an issue as I have the rent in advance for the following month. Because of Christmas however (my company shuts down the week before Christmas) I was paid early but work incorrectly deducted a weeks salary due to sick leave (this had already been deducted the month before as well). This has meant that I’m a couple of hundred pounds short on my rent on the 28th. Work are correcting this and paying me it all back at the end of the month but this does mean I’ll be short on the rent although I will be able to pay the rest on the 30th. I’ve talked to work about paying me the amount owed early but they have been saying that if they do it separate from Payroll it may push me over into the higher tax bracket or something and in the long term it would stuff me up.

I've text my landlord to see if he is OK with me either paying it all late or paying what I have on the 28th and the rest on the 30th, I'm 6 months into 2 year AST and I'm probably panicking for no reason but what’s the worst that could happen?

Pixie5740

Not that much to be honest. It's not ideal that some of your rent is going to be a couple of days late but as long as you keep your LL informed there's not much else you can do unless you're able to borrow the money from someone else.


Your LL could serve a Section 21 notice but since your in a fixed term for another 18 months that would seem a bit pointless.

G_M

The worst that can happen is that your relationship with your landlord is damaged. You are not about to be evicted!

And the best way to protect the relationship is to do as you have:

* keep your LL informed
* be honest and upfront
* ask his advice

My advice is to pay what you can o time, and make up the shortfall asap, whilst apologising and explaining.

Longer term, you might consider asking your LL if your rent payment date can be put back a few days to immediately after you receive your pay. You make a one-of payment to cover those days (say 3 days rent) then pay on the 2nd of each month thereafter.

Get this months rent sorted, then discuss that option later if you wish.

xsinaftersinx

Our relationship with our Landlord is actually pretty good, we’ve replaced an old collapsing shed, and made loads of improvements etc. all with permission of course but all at my expense plus we normally pay our rent a few days early so we’ve never had an issue before so I’m hoping they will be ok with it. As you say I’ve been trying to sort it since before Christmas when I was actually paid, I’ve let them know now a couple of weeks before due day so I guess I’ll see what they come back with.

I love our house, I’ll be gutted to get served with a S13 as we were hoping to stay extent again in 18 months for another couple of years.

G_M

xsinaftersinx wrote: »

I love our house, I’ll be gutted to get served with a S13 as we were hoping to stay extent again in 18 months for another couple of years.

S13 - to increase the rent?

Or S8 renat arrears (usually needs 2 months owed).

[Deleted User]

Obviously its not a brilliant position to be in.., but it is two days rather than a couple of weeks or months. If you have a two year AST, and its only £300 short (and will be paid two days later) .., the LL can do nothing. But obviously its definitely much better to explain to him/her what is going on.

I had a similiar situation when an ex lied about paying some rent for me (his fault I was short too). Once LL contacted me, I paid it myself within 2 days. He actually was quite impressed (and he's not the best of LL's). But its the only time in two years the rent had been late so he trusted me when I explained.

I always try to have some money put by for emergencies like this that take time to sort out. And obviously nothing comes before rent. Its amazing how little you can get by on when you have to.

pinkteapot

Phone the LL. Don't do stuff like this by text. Sound apologetic and explain that your payroll messed up and underpaid you but it'll be corrected soon.

rosie383

As well as the phonecall would it be good to put it in writing and keep a copy of the letter too? And keep any reply in writing from the LL. Just thinking about the guy who started a thread today due to failed reference because of late payment.
I haven't rented for many years so I'm sure someone will corrdct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like common sense to me.

xsinaftersinx

Panic over, thanks for all your help and advice guys, my Landlord is great and has said to just pay when I get paid. I think I must be one of the lucky ones, reading all the horror stories on here sometimes you always fear the worst, I have a great Landlord and I hope he thinks he has a good tenant. Phew, life can get back to normal!

rosie383

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you got it sorted!