Can you change standing order date for rent?

Tinkerbell62

Hi

We really need to change the date that our rent comes out, it comes out by standing order, that I set up through my internet banking, on the 21st of every month, but we could do with changing it to the 24th so that I get paid before it comes out as it really messes our finances up coming out before. The Estate Agent said I cannot do this in the 1st 6 months, and after 6 months i can pay them £75!!!! to change the payment date set out in the tenancy agreement. This seems unreasonable to me, is there not anyway i can just change it?!
Thanks

aneary

You can just change it but your rent will be late each month.

Who does the rent go to? The agent of the landlord?

Tinkerbell62

Thanks for your reply, it goes to the landlord

DumbMuscle

What does the tenancy agreement say exactly about the payment date? In general, you can move it earlier, but not later - so you might be able to pay, e.g. 21 June, 24 June, 24 July, 24 August (though this isn't a great option). Or you can set up a separate account which the money comes in to on a date that suits you, and out on the 21st, to help with budgeting (so long as you set it up in such a way that you don't miss a month). This does require enough savings to effectively double pay on the month you change though, so might not work for you.

There's no general right to pay late if your contract specifies it should be paid on the 21st, and consistent late payment can be grounds for eviction.

Tinkerbell62

Thank you, wonder if its worth speaking directly to the landlord

00ec25

your contract states a date when the rent should be paid

in theory that actually means the date the landlord receives the money into their bank account, not the date it left yours (although that distinction is less important now with so many payments automatically being faster payments)

the payment date may well have been chosen by the LL because it ties in with the timescale they have to pay their own mortgage. Hence you cannot unilaterally change the date you make the payment

the agent's £75 charge is a red herring, it is just the agent smelling the opportunity to charge a fee for the sake of a fee. However they are correct that under the terms of your contract you cannot alter the payment date unless you agree a new contract or the LL agrees to vary the current one.

as said above, you can of course change the payment date at your bank, but don't so will mean you are a late payer and could have (significant) repercussions depending on how upset your LL is

Tinkerbell62 wrote: »

wonder if its worth speaking directly to the landlord

it is your only sensible course of action...

aneary

As the money goes straight to the landlord I would speak to him/her to find out if they are okay with the 24th and cut out the agent to avoid the fee.

However they may have 24th set due to a mortgage and they are unlikely to change for you.

I have two bank accounts, I calculate all my bills +£50 that is transferred to my second account as soon as I'm paid and all my DDs go out of that account. I then know that what's in my current account I can spend.

Mossfarr

In my experience (as a landlord) your payment date is set by the commencement date of your tenancy, nothing to do with the Landlords mortgage commitments.
Just ask the landlord directly (in writing) if you can change the payment date - do not involve the agent. Most Landlords will happy to change the payment date - a few days really shouldn't make any difference to them.
Most will just be grateful that you have actually asked!

itchyfeet123

The cover letter I got with my lease told me to set up a standing order for the 26th of the month to ensure that rent was paid on time by the 30th. I never set up a standing order; instead, I do an instant payment on the 30th. If the 21st was chosen for similar reasons, you might find you can pay on the 24th and still be paying on time - check your lease to see when the rent has to be received by.