Advice from landlords, how are you dealing with tenants

[mummy203]

I’m a single mum newly self employed. On low income, no big savings to use or big outgoings to cut back on. Landlord owns big estate letting out 30+ properties on grounds. Rent is £180 higher than local authorities average. We have rented for 2.5 years and would like to stay long term. Have applied for Housing benefit but will take time and won’t make up for lost income. My bills electric, heating, food etc have rocketed. Last month paid rent in full but I’m of asking landlord to ask for a 40% reduction for May and June. I‘ve tightened my belt drastically and housing benefit should be assessed by Julys rent and I should be okay going forward. It’s asking for a short term reduction or getting in rent arrears or trying to a loan of some sort.

Employment has gone from 5/6 days a week to 2 days. I haven’t gone looking to other employment yet because Although not shielding I have health conditions making me vulnerable so keeping contact to a minimum and obviously my child is off school. Childs father has stopped paying maintenance through CMS. Employment will pick up when schools go back I’m sure so not long term.

Am I being unreasonable asking for a 40% discount for two months? Are you giving your tenants any discount?

[ScarfLadysBag]

Yes we are, but I'm a soft landlord I said to my tenants when all this kicked off that if they were struggling at all to let me know ASAP and not to stress about it. I don't want to sit there with our finances totally unchanged while someone else is struggling and stressed and anxious. Doesn't sit right with me. There's a compromise to be found.

Anyway, one of them was due to start a new job and hasn't been able and his partner has been furloughed. They said they could manage the rent but I knocked a fair bit off this month and will probably do so next month too as we are very fortunate to be in the position we are in and can afford to be kind to someone else. They are good tenants and I value them. I won't be asking them to pay any arrears back either.

If I was your landlord I wouldn't have a problem with it, particularly as it's short term. I wouldn't ask you to pay the arrears back either but I suspect I'll be in the minority on that one. Landlords aren't an untouchable business, though. All you can do is ask!

[MsChatterbox]

All you can do is ask. My husband has been sent home on unpaid leave and I'm a sahm. I approached the landlord with this. He said he would discount £180 from £725 as this is what the mortgage holiday would give him. However this would go into arrears.

[effingterrified]

My landlord offered to hold off collecting rent for as long as we needed - we fortunately haven't needed as can work from home, but he offered in case it was necessary, unasked.

Surely all decent landlords should do this - they must understand that circumstances are unusual. And it is not in their interests to turf you out - who are they going to replace you with? No-one wants to move house at the moment - they aren't going to find loads of new tenants.

Both for reasons of human decency and self-interest, they should agree as much of a temporary reduction in your rent as you need.

[Connie222]

My landlord (owns around 20 properties so it’s his business) sent out a text right at the start saying anyone who couldn’t pay full rent would be evicted as soon as he could, no exceptions for job loss or illness.

Nice chap.

[mummy203]

Connie222 this is what I was scared of but his property normal sits empty for a few months between let’s do hopefully he will see A benefit to keep me in there.

I have contacted him fingers crossed 🤞🏻 😬