Merry Xmas plebs - remember not to spend your rent money on present now!

[Comps83]

This popped up my fb memories today . This is a letter I got in 2012 from our letting agents.
I don't think I could let this go as easily if I'd received it today

Presents *

That would give me the rage. How condescending.

Letting agents really do think a lot of themselves don’t they.

They are still in existence and I'm tempted to post it on their page and ask if they've improved their attitude yet and how they'd feel getting that from their mortgage provider
They also put my rent up a few week after I moved in which I think can't be right when you've signed a contract

Not a nice communication... however to give some balance .., my friend who owns a letting agency was stunned by a tenant who was miffed at getting reminder letters about being late (3 months in arrears) with rent as she had spent all her money on flights for a family holiday in Australia..
Client was livid that a repayment plan wasn’t on offer

Lewisham council used to have this message on huge billboards in the town centre at Christmas. I was amazed they thought it was worth the advertising spend. No idea if they still do though - can’t see it going down well especially this year.

Here is the full letter
I must have changed as a person since then as now I'd be on the phone giving them both barrels

Hahahahaha they've blocked me from commenting and removed my post

I dont think its unreasonable...there are unfortunately loads of people who prioritise xmas...having their nails done....going out to pubs etc rather than paying for the essentials like rent and utility bills...

‘May we take this opportunity to wish you a happy Christmas...’

Signed

Ebenza Scrooge

My photographer friend (he's AMAZING) after taking amazing pictures at a wedding, the bride told him they'll be late with the money, because they got Christmas presents and have no money left 😂 So apparently, it happens

Why would you not think that is reasonable? I can’t not pay my mortgage because its xmas, and it does happen. People prioritise anything about rent, bills etc if they want to. Why should people not pay because they rent?

Of course it happens, but seriously? You'd be happy if you got his letter from the bank regarding your mortgage or your mobile phone provider or water company etc etc etc ?
Totally unprofessional condescending crap
I always felt like a 2nd class citizen when renting and it's obvious why

@Underadesk it’s very condescending. It should have been worded ‘We understand that this time of year can present challenges, we would ask that rent is still paid on time. Should you have any reason that prevents payment on the due date you must contact us in advance.’

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if i got that letter from my mortgage company or bank.

I'm not sure I'd feel anything much as I'd never prioritise Christmas presents over rent/mortgage or indeed any other priority bills.

A family member works for a housing association and often gets the response "I can't pay rent this month as I had to get presents".

I work as a debt advisor and people frequently tell me they got behind on rent for this reason too. Part of my job is educating people on how to budget and what expenses need prioritising - I do this with compassion but have to be very direct and let people know what the consequences are for not doing it.
There are many people who think it's essential to spend what amounts to sometimes more than 2 months of their TOTAL income on expensive presents.

@ApocalypseNowt neither would I
I always paid in full and on time which is why it was so offensive

At the start of the first lockdown the RAC sent me an email reminding me I owe them £10 a month for the rest if the year (i know I had been paying 4/5 months no issues) they followed this up with a monthly text reminding me it was due and I should have their money ready on time

im not renewing

I wouldn’t care if I received this from the bank or letting agency. You can see it’s a generic letter sent to everyone. Some people are that stupid they do spent rent money on other things and give rubbish excuses. Better sending this as a reminder so people can’t claim they didn’t realise/haven’t been warned.

People intending to use their rent money on presents won't exactly read the letter and change their minds. I wonder what the point is

Meh, I can’t get riled up about this.
They’re not wrong, people really DO prioritise spending on ‘stuff’ over paying for the roof over their heads
Not all people, but some.
If it didn’t apply to me, I’d stick it straight into recycling without a second thought to be honest.

[quote Comps83]@ApocalypseNowt neither would I
I always paid in full and on time which is why it was so offensive [/quote]
If you always pay on time why are you offended? It’s not aimed at you personally, it’s a generic letter sent to all customers. Unfortunately, at this time of year lots and lots of people fall behind with rent as they prioritise buying presents instead. The lettings agency is a business that requires payments and they are trying to ensure these payments are made.

It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if I received one - I would just put it in the bin if it didn’t apply to me.

It is absolutely condescending and unprofessional. No bank or mortgage provider would write to you about the "wonderful excuses" they've heard for non-payment! Letting agents are the worst of the worst in my experience.

It's the wording that's offensive not the letter per se I live in a housing association house and they would never send a letter saying wonderful excuses ,it's very unprofessional ,they would say something like please let us know if you are having financial difficulties so we can find ways to help you etc

Remember an advert that used to appear on the backs of buses, a few years ago?

"This Christmas, don't forget:
The cranberry sauce...
To call mum...
To pay your rent.

It's the sort of rubbish the TV licensing dictators come out with.
"Oh, I thought my wife was dealing with it."

Remember also when bus fare evasion was a big "thing", long before Oyster cards, and London buses were full of slogans? Boris would have been proud (and it was long before he was London Mayor).
"The only thing that gave her more pleasure than travelling with the correct ticket was watching someone else get caught."
"Farey stories."
"The thief, the liar and the fare evader."
Also "Too cool for school?" re. truanting pupils.