Private renters, no help?

borderline

I haven't seen any clear message from the government about helping private renters. All I have seen is mortgage holidays for landlords. How is that gonna help renters?  I highly doubt many landlords will pass any "holiday" to renters. Even if they can't evict them, sooner or later will be asked to replay the arrears. Why the government helps the rich once again? Wouldn't be better to help the renters at least you know that money goes towards the rent .

what about if that mortgage is already paid off ?? the renters still will be expected to pay

[Deleted User]

 You can claim universal credit and get protection from eviction for several months. 

strawb_shortcake

Nobody is getting anything for free, the mortgage payments are just being deferred, if you are unable to pay your rent you have security that you can't be evicted and can keep a roof above your head.

The difference between a BTL mortgage payment and a month's rent is going to be quite significant, a LL has more responsibilities than servicing a mortgage, so they are still going to suffer with no rent payments for 3+ months. Arguably they should be prepared for void periods but it's a tough time for many and people will want to protect their interests.
I guess the help from the government will be evolving as time goes on 

borderline

_shel said:

 You can claim universal credit and get protection from eviction for several months. 

don't think universal credit will cover the rent , and protection from eviction doesn't erase the potentially unpaid rent, if you have some savings you will have to pay the rent while the landlords get a holiday

Jeremy535897

As said above, landlords can apply for a mortgage holiday for up to 3 months but they have to pay it back later, with interest. Lenders are not obliged to grant it. Landlords are asked to pass the benefit of the holiday on to tenants, who no doubt will not be charged interest on late paid rent.

mwarby

On the house buying and renting forum, one landlord was looking at offering a straight up reduction on rent early on in the week (above and beyond what was expected at the time). There is protection against some bad lanlords by way of a ban on evictions for 3 months (which could easily be extended)

borderline

mwarby said:

On the house buying and renting forum, one landlord was looking at offering a straight up reduction on rent early on in the week (above and beyond what was expected at the time). 

that's surely a rare breed

calcotti

borderline said:

don't think universal credit will cover the rent , and protection from eviction doesn't erase the potentially unpaid rent, if you have some savings you will have to pay the rent while the landlords get a holiday

Universal Credit includes help with rent and the Chancellor's announcement on Friday increased the amount of help available in order to help renters. It my still not be enough to cover all the rent and of course you have to eligible for UC to get it. 

They have also imposed a complete ban on eviction for the time being https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters. Obviously there may be problems later when the ban is lifted if tenants are in arrears but the government may introduce further protection before then.

It is not true to say the government has done nothing to help renters.

borderline

calcotti said:

borderline said:

don't think universal credit will cover the rent , and protection from eviction doesn't erase the potentially unpaid rent, if you have some savings you will have to pay the rent while the landlords get a holiday

Universal Credit includes help with rent and the Chancellor's announcement on Friday increased the amount of help available in order to help renters. It my still not be enough to cover all the rent and of course you have to eligible for UC to get it. 

I don't know how Universal credit works these days... some years ago I was unemployed for a few months and I wasn't eligible for housing benefit ,because I got some redundancy money and my savings were over £16k , I was only given £75  a week as job seekers allowance.
 So my point is if it is still the same , I wouldn't get any housing benefits while the landlord gets the mortgage "holiday"..  when I'm sure he has much money in the bank than me

calcotti

borderline said:

I don't know how Universal credit works these days... some years ago I was unemployed for a few months and I wasn't eligible for housing benefit ,because I got some redundancy money and my savings were over £16k , I was only given £75  a week as job seekers allowance.
 So my point is if it is still the same , I wouldn't get any housing benefits while the landlord gets the mortgage "holiday"..  when I'm sure he has much money in the bank than me

Housing Benefit has been replaced by Universal Credit. The help with rent is included in the Universal Credit. You didn't get help because of your savings which prevented you claiming. Saying there is no help available is something completely different.

diggingdude

when will silly people realise landlords are not getting a handout. At best they can delay mortgage payments 3 months but will still have to make them up.  This just stinks of tenants not wanting to pay their rent.  If you can't pay ask to defer, but just like landlords you will have to pay it eventually