Looking for some advice with rental and a flatmate for a tenant

TriggerCut92

Hey everyone, I have a tenant who advises he'll be struggling to pay rent this month as he's lost his job, which is totally understandable. His rent is currently £650, but I advised he can give me £495 this month. He's applied for universal credit and DHP which entitles him to £700 I think. It's a two bedroom flat which he moved into with a flat mate. The flatmate moved out due to a falling out, he got another short term flat mate who was only there for two months (was a short term thing anyway)

So we went back and forth, all very civil, about the rent and I advised him to put something up on spare room or gumtree to try and find a tenant. He advised he had done that but didn't find anyone he thought he'd be able to live with. I thought fair enough at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it makes no sense to me. If he really tried he could get someone to move in and split the rent with him. I've actually got another flat with someone who struggled to pay rent which was fine, but they live in a one bedroom. I do like the guy and we have a friendly relationship (not friends but I have a good relationship with all my tenants), but there's a couple of times he's been a couple of days late with payments and then blames it on his work not paying him on time. I tried to get it through to him that he should have money aside incase this happens, and the last time it happened I advised it can't happen again, which he was totally fine with. 

I know it's hard times for everyone and I massively appreciate that, but myself and my girlfriend both agreed that he should really be looking for someone to get in there and split the rent with him. Does anyone have any views or opinions on this? And what would be a fair rent reduction in this time. I've taken 25% off. Too much or too little, or just right? I think its just frustrating that it's a two bedroom, and if there were 2 people there, then this wouldn't be happening

Thanks

FreeBear

If he is under 35, then he would probably only be entitled to a shared accommodation rate. If he were to get a lodger, then I would expect his benefits would be cut by the amount the lodger pays him. It is either that, or UC would only pay the shared accommodation rate - In either case, they would be unlikely to cover the full rent for a two bed property.

A difficult situation for all concerned I'm afraid.

[Deleted User]

TriggerCut92 said:

Hey everyone, I have a tenant who advises he'll be struggling to pay rent this month as he's lost his job, which is totally understandable. His rent is currently £650, but I advised he can give me £495 this month. He's applied for universal credit and DHP which entitles him to £700 I think. It's a two bedroom flat which he moved into with a flat mate. The flatmate moved out due to a falling out, he got another short term flat mate who was only there for two months (was a short term thing anyway)

So we went back and forth, all very civil, about the rent and I advised him to put something up on spare room or gumtree to try and find a tenant. He advised he had done that but didn't find anyone he thought he'd be able to live with. I thought fair enough at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it makes no sense to me. If he really tried he could get someone to move in and split the rent with him. I've actually got another flat with someone who struggled to pay rent which was fine, but they live in a one bedroom. I do like the guy and we have a friendly relationship (not friends but I have a good relationship with all my tenants), but there's a couple of times he's been a couple of days late with payments and then blames it on his work not paying him on time. I tried to get it through to him that he should have money aside incase this happens, and the last time it happened I advised it can't happen again, which he was totally fine with. 

I know it's hard times for everyone and I massively appreciate that, but myself and my girlfriend both agreed that he should really be looking for someone to get in there and split the rent with him. Does anyone have any views or opinions on this? And what would be a fair rent reduction in this time. I've taken 25% off. Too much or too little, or just right? I think its just frustrating that it's a two bedroom, and if there were 2 people there, then this wouldn't be happening

Thanks

He's not going to finding a new flat mate any time soon. 

How was the joint tenancy dealt with when the original flat mate moved out? Was a new agreement signed with the short term flat mate or a deed of assignment?

You're both between a rock and a hard place. He can't afford the rent on his own and due to current self isolation restrictions he cannot find a flat mate. You on the other hand can't evict him at the moment because the government has suspended possession order hearings. Even if he paid you nothing right now you can't do anything about it for at least 3 months. Take the rent he can afford to pay you and then move to evict at the first available opportunity because he can't really afford to live there. 

Comms69

TriggerCut92 said:

Hey everyone, I have a tenant who advises he'll be struggling to pay rent this month as he's lost his job, which is totally understandable. His rent is currently £650, but I advised he can give me £495 this month. He's applied for universal credit and DHP which entitles him to £700 I think. It's a two bedroom flat which he moved into with a flat mate. The flatmate moved out due to a falling out, he got another short term flat mate who was only there for two months (was a short term thing anyway)

So we went back and forth, all very civil, about the rent and I advised him to put something up on spare room or gumtree to try and find a tenant. He advised he had done that but didn't find anyone he thought he'd be able to live with. I thought fair enough at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it makes no sense to me. If he really tried he could get someone to move in and split the rent with him. I've actually got another flat with someone who struggled to pay rent which was fine, but they live in a one bedroom. I do like the guy and we have a friendly relationship (not friends but I have a good relationship with all my tenants), but there's a couple of times he's been a couple of days late with payments and then blames it on his work not paying him on time. I tried to get it through to him that he should have money aside incase this happens, and the last time it happened I advised it can't happen again, which he was totally fine with. 

I know it's hard times for everyone and I massively appreciate that, but myself and my girlfriend both agreed that he should really be looking for someone to get in there and split the rent with him. Does anyone have any views or opinions on this? And what would be a fair rent reduction in this time. I've taken 25% off. Too much or too little, or just right? I think its just frustrating that it's a two bedroom, and if there were 2 people there, then this wouldn't be happening

Thanks

Your opinion is meaningless here. 

Options:
1. accept that it will be late / less

That's it. You cant take any meaningful action during this time. It coul dbe a 10 bedroom place, you rented the property to him. If he wants a lodger, he can get one, if not, he doesnt have to.