Tenant Not Paying Rent

ayupmeduck

JPin said:

I just received a text from my tenant to advise they wouldn't be paying rent for three months and not to contact them. 

Sigh that didn't take long

Don't think it has !00% been agreed or that it is in force yet. Just knew scum would pick up on this, do they not realise you still have to pay it as some point?

I haven't really read into it but I thought it was no eviction not that you could just stop paying rent and only for those who can't pay due to being out of work, bet OP's tenants don't work to start with.

greatcrested

Cptralls said:

Smodlet said:

What AdrianC said, unless the law has changed.  Two months rent arrears and you can issue a Section 8; there is no defence other than paying the arrears, as I understand it.  Grit your teeth and wait it out... Coronavirus notwithstanding, depending on what the government decide, of course.  At the moment, I don't think there is any edict about allowing delays in rent payments, only "recommendations" about being flexible and lenient.  If I am right, the ball is in your court.

Under the new rules today no eviction processes can begin for 3 months. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters

Subject to specific details that sounds like at the end of the 3 months the tenant either has to pay down the arrears, come to some agreement with the LL, or can be evicted via S8.

At the end of this period, landlords and tenants will be expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan, taking into account tenants’ individual circumstances.

But whatever the new rules I think a blunt text like that is hardly conducive to getting a sympathetic response from the LL. No explanation of how COBIT-19 is affecting them or why they are in financial hardship. No apology. No attempt to discuss (far from it - don't contact us).

So yes, S8 at the first legal opportunity.

mwarby

Mat be worth considering how the tenant has been up until now. It’s very possible they are stressed by situation at work and genuinely believe they have the right to do this

JPin

They're working full time as a supervisor in Asda and busier than ever. They seem to think there are no losers via their actions. 

Thrugelmir

JPin said:

They're working full time as a supervisor in Asda and busier than ever. They seem to think there are no losers via their actions. 

Pay your tenant a visit. 

Bossypants

Thrugelmir said:

JPin said:

They're working full time as a supervisor in Asda and busier than ever. They seem to think there are no losers via their actions. 

Pay your tenant a visit. 

The tenant is clearly being ridiculous but I'd tread carefully, the instruction in their text to not contact them sounds like they might be setting up to cry harassment at the first opportunity.

Thrugelmir

Bossypants said:

Thrugelmir said:

JPin said:

They're working full time as a supervisor in Asda and busier than ever. They seem to think there are no losers via their actions. 

Pay your tenant a visit. 

The tenant is clearly being ridiculous but I'd tread carefully, the instruction in their text to not contact them sounds like they might be setting up to cry harassment at the first opportunity.

Take a witness. 

greatcrested

Or write. Is the tenant elderly? medically vulnerable to your knowledge? Unless self-isolating due to risk factor or infection, their income won't have been impacted.

A diplomatically worded letter asking the tenant to confirm they are still working as Asda supervisor and hence  at present impacted by COVID-19 or any reduction in income.

foxy-stoat

Tell them to save the money for the next 3 months if they want, inform them interest charges for late payment and give them the date in 3 months time for them to settle the deferred rent plus interest.

You wont get your property back for AT LEAST 3 months.

csgohan4

nothing personal, it's a business. Start eviction proceedings asap, their clearly trying to get a free lunch. LL are also people that need to pay bills, pandemic or not