Lodger has job but says he doesn't have to pay rent due to coronavirus crisis?

John_

JohnnyWishbone84 said:

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I think this might have been better in the 'house buying, renting and selling' area. Will bear that in mind next time.

If I were you I’d check carefully whether this was him announcing that he won’t be paying you any longer, and if so, serve him notice to leave.

hb2

I agree that this lodger sounds like a chancer, but please don't give him notice unless you really can't see any other option. The rules about not evicting tenants are to try and prevent unnecessary movement of people. Although lodgers don't have the same protection, asking him to leave would be putting him in an impossible situation as no-one is going to be wanting new people in their household at the moment. Of course, there is nothing stopping the OP from pointing this out to the lodger . . .

Pollycat

Rather than your lodger not paying rent even though he's still in work, perhaps you should raise the issue of any increased costs you might be incurring because of him now working from home (I assume that as he is renting a room, all the bills are included in his rent).

Seriously, I think he's trying it on.

I hope the link in the 3rd post helps him see sense.

calcotti

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities

As previously noted a lodger is not a tenant but even if they were government guidance is that tenants are obliged to continue paying their rent.

"1.1 As a tenant, should I stop paying rent during the outbreak?

Tenants should continue to pay rent and abide by all other terms of their tenancy agreement to the best of their ability. The government has a strong package of financial support available to tenants, and where they can pay the rent as normal, they should do. Tenants who are unable to do so should speak to their landlord at the earliest opportunity.

In many if not most cases, the COVID-19 outbreak will not affect tenants’ ability to pay rent. If your ability to pay will be affected, it’s important to have an early conversation with your landlord. Rent levels agreed in your tenancy agreement remain legally due and you should discuss with your landlord if you are in difficulty."

It also says:

"2.2 Who is covered by the suspension of housing possession cases?

All tenants and licensees who benefit from protection from eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 will be protected from possession proceedings by this measure.

This includes most tenants in social housing and the private rented sector and some licensees. Lodgings, holiday lets, hostel accommodation and accommodation for asylum seekers are excluded from those protections."

wymondham

I'd turn off his broadband...

Browntoa

Lodger , no tenancy agreement or contract , no notice period required.

Next conversation is " consider any non payment of rent by you as you have served 7 days notice to quit " 

And stick to it 

mwarby

it seems to me the lodger has just got the wrong end of the stick, note the OP said suggested during a brief conversation. You only need to look on this forum  to see those who believe they are entitled to be forloughed for instance to see the extent of confusion, Facebook and the likes also don't help sometimes with spread of misinformation and generalizations.

It's worth bearing in mind the rent isn't due for a few weeks, and they will need to share the house during this time, using legal language early on or unduly tough language may make life difficult and lose the tenant even if they pay. I would be starting off gently at first, of course if needs be step it up, you don't want to give 3 months free rent

[Deleted User]

I had a customer state they were cancelling for financial reasons and 'had better stop, still had to brake it to them this didn't mean their £50+ balance was being written off.  ...it was actually one of my most calm calls of the entire past week.  You could even suggest split payments if it came to it....