Tenants asking to not pay rent this month

Pixie5740

ifeelsad wrote: »

This is the first property we have rented out, but we have been renting it for 5 years and this is the second lot of tenants.

Read G_M's guide for New Landlords.

ifeelsad wrote: »

Thanks. I think I am, but in general I’m just a nice person.
They don’t want to make the back rent up – they want us to give them an entire month free!

Hell to the no. In the words of Grangehill, "Just say no."

ifeelsad wrote: »

They have a fixed tenancy until November 2016. They have been in 18 months, but the first year was managed through an agent (we had to sack them as they were worse than useless).

It is possible to evict tenants in arrears and who persistently pay rent late during a fixed term. Put the ball back in the tenant's court by saying no to the free pass.

ifeelsad wrote: »

Our situation is we have paid thousands and thousands in repairs on the house that they live in, and it has left us short and we are having to put off doing important things in our own house. We have a mortgage to pay and we actually can’t cover a second one as our income isn’t high enough.

You are running a business and your cashflow or lack of is not your tenant's concern. If repairs need done then they need done. That said it's possible that not all of the repairs they have reported were necessary. Almost certainly you could have told them to poke it about the carpets.

If you would struggle to cover void periods and arrears is BTL really the best investment for you?

ifeelsad wrote: »

I do wonder what the housing benefit money has been spent on. As you say it’s poor money management and they should be prioritising paying the rent.

Good question but it's not up to you to make up for whatever they've blown HB on by giving them a free month.

penguine

They don’t want to make the back rent up – they want us to give them an entire month free!

Say no. Very firmly. And remind them that rent needs to be paid in full and on time every month.

If they perceive you as a pushover, they're going to keep prioritising other things over the rent.

ErolGirl

ifeelsad wrote: »

They asked if they were allowed to redecorate and we said they could but they specified they would provide all materials.

They have a child so they wanted to redecorate one room as a young kids room for example so it was their choice and it was agreed they would cover the cost of this.

Well they should have put the money for rent to one side before forking out for redecoration. If they don't want to/can't pay this month, say the rent will be in arrears for the next month and they pay double on May 15th!

ifeelsad

TH1878 wrote: »

If your BTL isn't putting money in your pocket, it's a liability. You are being WAY too nice about this, particularly as it's putting financial strain on you.

I'd write back to them, politely explain your position and advise that you will have no option but to serve notice on them for breach of contract and that you wouldn't be able to provide a reference for them should this happen.

Before we had all the repairs to do, it was putting money in our pocket. This year is the first year we have made a loss. But what also doesn't help is that we have a repayment mortgage, so we only get tax relief on about 40% of our monthly mortgage payment. We are paying a good chunk off the mortgage each month which will be great when we come to sell. But doesn't help on a month-to-month basis.

Pixie5740 wrote: »

If you would struggle to cover void periods and arrears is BTL really the best investment for you?

To be fair when we started renting to them we had loads of spare income to cover arrears and void periods but then we bought a house ourselves (not the tenants fault, I know but them not paying their rent definitely is!)
Also we did try to sell when the last tenants moved out. We put it on the market for less than we paid and there was no interest at all. We were paying mortgage and council tax for months until we decided it would be better to rent it out again.

jjlandlord

You need new tenants...

wiltsguy_2

I Would be planning to evict them! Why should they live in YOUR house rent free? while you pay the mortgage!!

Do they pop to Sainsbury's and get free shopping or free petrol at the local BP?? I doubt it very much, trying to mug you off!!

Jon_B_2

Ask them if they'd like to speak to your bank to see if you can have a months mortgage waived? Just to put some perspective on the situation.

Errata

Quite often it will be a bit late, or I’ll get an email saying they can only pay x amount, and I’ll get the rest the next week. I don’t mind this too much as long as we get it.

Thin end of the wedge ........

They don’t want to make the back rent up – they want us to give them an entire month free!

The full wedge.

Suggest you arrange an inspection PDQ.

wiltsguy_2

ifeelsad wrote: »

Any advice? I can’t demand money that they say they don’t have, but they are getting housing benefit (he sent me a copy of award letter, along with a cheque from the council covering back pay for rent)
Thanks

So the good old tax payer is paying their rent, which they have spent on other things and they are wanting a rent free home!! I would be fuming! Phone the coucncil and inform them!!

Marktheshark

Book a free valuation from an Estate agent, it might just "wake them up a bit"