New landlord, payment date

damitjanet

Hi, I've moved in with my boyfriend and renting my home out so I'm new to this, my tenant of one month text on the day the rent is due asking to move the payment date from 25th of month to 8th and pay 2 weeks late, am I right I said moving the date was fine but she would have to pay the 2 weeks now to take it to the 8th, she has now gone quiet on me !
What do I do ? It's a short hold tenancy, am I being mean in expecting my payment, not sure I'm cut out to be a landlord
Regards janet

Pixie5740

Yes, you are being an ogre of a landlord (not in the slightest)

If the contract says rent is payable on the 25th then that's when it is payable, not 2 weeks later. I think it's perfectly reasonable that you agreed to move the date on the proviso that 2 weeks plus 1 month is payable by 8th.

How long has the tenancy being going for?

G_M

[QUOTE=Pixie5740;69411584

How long has the tenancy being going for?[/QUOTE]

my tenant of one month text....

No - seems fair.

I'd be asking why. If this is just an excuse because tenant has not got the money, then agreeing could be the frst of a number of payment issues.

On the other hand, if the tenant gets paid on the 1st (whatever) of the month, then aligning rent date with pay date is helpful.

It's a judgement call.

But yes, get the 2 weeks paid so that rent is still being paid in advance, not in arrears.

Adjustment can be made at the end of the tenancy by tenant paying 2 weeks rent on the final rent date instead of 4.

damitjanet

Hi pixie
Tenancy been going 1 month ! It's only the second payment

damitjanet

Hi GM
Tenant has text on the payment date to say her employer has changed her pay day, im sure they would have given her more notice than 1 day and I think she should have said something earlier, I'm relying on the money,
It's not a very good start it's only the second months payment, I've never done this before so not quite sure what I'm expected to say
Cheers
Janet

marliepanda

Damitjanet wrote: »

Hi GM
Tenant has text on the payment date to say her employer has changed her pay day, im sure they would have given her more notice than 1 day and I think she should have said something earlier, I'm relying on the money,
It's not a very good start it's only the second months payment, I've never done this before so not quite sure what I'm expected to say
Cheers
Janet

1st rule of renting: have a contingency plan. You should try not to, if at all possible, rely on the money. You also need to have money put aside for any essential repairs to the property. Are you okay if the boiler breaks tomorrow?

Guest101

Can i just check:

Is the deposit protected? Gas safety up to date? EPC provided? - have you done everything you should as a LL?

If the tenant is paying 6 weeks on the 8th, then thats ok. But you need to confirm it all.

Dont rely on the money. The tenant doesnt pay and you are stuck with them for 3-6 months whist you evict.

Pixie5740

If you are in England or Wales you will find G_M's guide for New Landlords useful.

Rather than texting back and forth, call the tenant and talk with her. Find out what is going on. Follow up anything you agree in writing (ink, paper, stamp not a text message) and get proof of postage. If the tenant won't answer your calls then write to her (again ink, paper, stamp) reminding her that her rent is now in arrears.

It's not the greatest start to the tenancy. It could just be teething problems but if not you should look into how to serve notice such as a Section 21 or Section 8 just in case.

[Deleted User]

Rather unusual for an employer to suddenly change payment date so yes, make agreement to change your rent payment date (1 month plus two weeks on the new date) but personally, I'd be keeping a very close eye on the tenant from now on.

Issue a S21 at the first sign of further delays in payment so you can start to evict as soon as the fixed period is up. Make sure the dates etc are correct on the S21 otherwise it can be thrown out by the judge.

Next time make sure you have investigated the tenant thoroughly before they move in.

theartfullodger

If rent is paid late issue an s8g10 also immediately it is late: Yes it can be issued with rent underpaid by only 1p for just 1 day. Tenant might take the hint.

Does the tenancy state s8g8 can be used in fixed term??

This tenant does not sound promising: Keep monitoring & in your shoes I;d write and arrange an inspection (calm& polite) to check everything OK.

thesaint

Me, I would agree providing the tenant provides a copy of their bank statement showing the new pay day.