I owe thousands in rent arrears

Tygermoth

Or, shock horror, they are a nice landlord! It happens. Most LL start off that way....

Or neighbour was on a ridiculously low rent for 10 years because the LL sympathised with her situation. I would like to say she was grateful - it's weird how people can twist good fortune into a sense of entitlement - but that's another story (and is no reflection on the OPs situation at all!)

The LL was a nice dude with no ulterior motive. he was happy to help.

That being said you really do want to stick with this LL - renting with your debt issues and bankruptcy will be difficult so i would recommend cultivating a good relationship, looking at speaking to some form of debt advisor and making inroads to pay.

chappers

I suggest you get on to one of the debt charities for some advice. they can help you with benefits etc, too.
Your LL seems very understanding maybe if at least you could keep up with your monthly rent he may agree a small payment towards the arrears maybe via a debt management program. I would strongly advise that you keep him in the loop.
You have done the right thing and made the first step by coming on here.
Pop over to the debt free board and see if you can get some advice on trying to at least, in the first instance, get your income/expenditure balanced.
I don't know about your health, but getting your finances in order and on a less chaotic footing, as well as some stability in your housing situation, might have a positive effect on your health
There will be a way out of this, it's time to take the next step.

saajan_12

Ultimately it boils down to you need to (a) reduce your outgoings and (b) increase your income. Then with the cash you can start to pay down the arrears and any other debts. Make sure you respond to any notices / claims etc as otherwise court costs etc could rise, but don't wait to agree a payment plan.. start paying it down now.

(a) REDUCE YOUR OUTGOINGS
- Find somewhere cheaper to rent (before you do get further CCJs / eviction notices and are forced to).. look further out of town / somewhere smaller
- Reduce spending on luxuries eg. coffees / eating out, new expensive clothes, unnecessary household goods..
- Keep on top of any claims / CCJs to avoid extra late payment / court costs
- Pay down highest interest debt first to reduce interest costs

(b) INCREASE INCOME
- Do you have any spare bedrooms? Take in a lodger to bring in rent money and use some of the space so you reduce how much you have to contribute to rent without having to move (note you're still liable for the full rent to your LL, you can get upto £7,500 a year from a lodger tax free)
- Check you're receiving any benefits you're entitled to
- Can you pick up some work, even if its a sit down job / part time (I don't know your health issues and check how this affects your benefits)

Comms69

ProDave wrote: »

This thread is a wind up right?

Your tenancy would have been for 6 or 12 months initially not 3.

No landlord would let thousands of rent arrears build up without taking some action.

Sorry but I smell a troll.

1: a tenancy is any length
2: I know several friends who had arrears of thousands, one was around 8, and the LL never chased.

TBagpuss

The landlord would have to formally evict you, to make you leave. They can give you notice (2 months) but if you didn't then move out would have to take you to court.

It doesn't sound as though, as yet, they have given you notice, they've just suggested some ways to deal with things.

I would suggest that you take a look at https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ to see whether you might be entitled to claim any benefits or tax credits - if your only income is £230 from your partner's earnings I would expect you to be eligible for some help.

theartfullodger

TBagpuss wrote: »

The landlord would have to formally evict you, to make you leave. They can give you notice (2 months) but if you didn't then move out would have to take you to court. .......

As there are rent arrears, in addition to s21 2 months notice, landlord may go the s8 route: For that & rent arrears notice expire in 14 days..

Be aware if evicted for rent arrears and council get to find out they will likely find you "intentionally homeless" & thus not entitled to be rehoused: You might just get a temporary homeless hostel whilst they examine your case: Then evicted, almost no notice, no court required, on the street.

It's getting cold outside overnight....