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Haven’t paid rent in months!

538 replies

Uppoopcreek · 31/10/2024 00:13

I’ve just realised I haven’t paid my rent in around 6 months! I don’t know how this could have happened?
ive lived here around 4 years. All I can think is I set up a standing order a while ago and it didn’t work properly?
now, I have pretty severe MH problems. Awful anxiety and depression(probable ADHD but still waiting for an appointment to start the process). I never check my bank, I’m behind with other bills, too. I’m a bury my head in the sand type of person, but worry constantly about everything, About a month ago I hit rock bottom. Won’t go into details, but it wasn’t great.
I have 3 DC, and I’m on benefits.
Help! What do I do?! Had a text from landlord last night asking me to call him, which is what’s just prompted me to look now. I was asleep when he text.

OP posts:
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FiveShelties · 31/10/2024 00:49

Has the standing order ever gone through?

I would definitely make sure your guarantor finds out from you.

Jadednhs · 31/10/2024 00:47

I'm not going to berate you for spending your rent on other things when you clearly have a lot of health issues that contribute to a chaotic lifestyle. What I will suggest is you call your landlord first thing, call housing and call the CAB about how to get out of this mess. You may find UC will want to know so do you have a friend who can advocate for you through this?

saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/10/2024 00:44

So you’ve spent 6 months of rent not on tent? But the COL is crippling? I don’t see how both can be true.

SighTime · 31/10/2024 00:43

What a horrible situation to be in. Have you any savings at all or do you have anyone such as a parent or partner who could help out. Will your guarantor have the money? I think you are going to have to tell them straight away.
Might you be able to pay overpay your rent for a while until you make up what you owe? It might be that your landlord might be prepared to negotiate. I don't know if he will believe you that you didn't know though.

Uppoopcreek · 31/10/2024 00:36

If I wasn’t on so much medication, I could cry. It used to be his son that owned the house, but he passed away a couple of years ago. Very sad.
my main worry is that my guarantor is a very good friend. I’d hate for them to be lumbered wit this. I’d be mortified

OP posts:
MildGreenDairyLiquid · 31/10/2024 00:34

To be fair, I used to have a landlord that seemed totally disengaged from this kind of stuff. I always paid but he never checked, and the rent was substantially lower than the market rate because he never bothered putting it up. Conversely, he was very on it with repairs.

Anyway, the only solution is to be honest and up front and suggest a workable solution. No other option really.

Anotherparkingthread · 31/10/2024 00:32

Uppoopcreek · 31/10/2024 00:20

No. He hasn’t said a thing, and we’ve spoken a couple of times about other things in that time.
I haven’t got the money now. The col has absolutely crippled me.

The money might be sent to a company he owns or much like you he simply hasn't checked. After many years of you being there I would presume he thought you would pay on time.

Unfortunately without having the money to give him now I don't know what you will do. I suppose he will serve you eviction papers. How much is it that you owe? Can you borrow against anything? Sell the car? Loan? Bank of mum and dad?

Be cautious that you don't make yourself voluntarily homeless. You won't get council housing if you do. Which sadly for your landlords means you need to stay there until basically you're forced to leave by court/bailiffs. It will be very stressful. Maybe go and speaking to the council tomorrow and explain to them that you are likely to be made homeless, have mental health issues and children. See if they can do anything before it comes to that.

Uppoopcreek · 31/10/2024 00:20

No. He hasn’t said a thing, and we’ve spoken a couple of times about other things in that time.
I haven’t got the money now. The col has absolutely crippled me.

OP posts:
FriendlyFriend · 31/10/2024 00:19

Better to face this head on x

MildGreenDairyLiquid · 31/10/2024 00:18

Is the money for the rent still in your account or have you spent it? If it’s still there I’d contact the landlord, say you’ve noticed the rent payments haven’t been going out, and pay the lot as a lump sum.

Pretty relaxed landlord if it takes him 6 months to notice…..

FiveShelties · 31/10/2024 00:18

Has he not chased you before about this?

Rachel1509 · 31/10/2024 00:17

Oh dear!
However, did you not log into your internet banking and see more than expected?
I guess he’ll want it all paying pretty quickly - are you in a position to do that?

Laloca2000 · 31/10/2024 00:16

So, do you have the rent money still in your account floating about or have you spent it all without realising? If you've still got it, or most of it, you could just blame the banking/standing order mess up and make good the mistake without further issues maybe, if your landlord is agreeable..?