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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask my landlord for a discount on rent?

59 replies

CobyKnobe · 07/04/2020 18:06

He owns the property outright (inherited a long time ago) and my income has gone down 80% in recent weeks.

I've never missed a rent payment and don't want to move, but to save money I probably should do. This would probably cost him rent as I wouldn't want any viewings in the house while i'm still here (with covid-19 and because I have health issues) and there's a glut of properties coming on down with some good reductions.

So wouldn't it be in both our favours to ask for a short term rent reduction?

OP posts:

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/04/2020 15:12

My mum owns a BTL, and her tenant is a pilot. She offered to reduce his rent by 25%, to review in three months, before he even asked. She is in a fortunate position and can easily afford it, but mainly she wants to keep a good, long-term tenant.

Xenia · 08/04/2020 15:15

The Government scheme is you cannot be evicted for 3 months but if you do not pay or pay less then the sum you don't pay now is still due (unless a landlord agrees a reduction). As plenty of landlords rely on the rent to eat and quite a few have less income than their tenants (my student sons for a start) it just depends on the circumstances and the market.

SamSeabornforPresident · 08/04/2020 15:22

I'd give a tenant a discount at the moment. Our tenant didn't pay at all this month and is waiting for UC to come through as he's been temporarily laid off. A partial payment would have been preferable. (Obviously given the current situation we're not asking for it, but the mortgage still has to be paid.)

QuitMoaning · 08/04/2020 15:22

My OH has a tenanted property and our tenant is valued. We think that she will be ok as we are guessing she can work from home and get paid in full (we are surmising this as we know her occupation). If she does approach him with payment difficulties, he will certainly be looking to help her as it is her home.

Communication is key in this as it shows you are intending to the right thing. Hopefully they will be understanding and want to keep a good tenant..

Original poster

CobyKnobe · 08/04/2020 16:07

I agree communication is important, that's why I'm getting in touch now long before the rent is due or I have to give my notice

OP posts:

dontdisturbmenow · 08/04/2020 17:06

So do you want to move or are you just planning on using this as a threat? Are you on s rolling contract or fixed?

Are you on your own or with partner? Are they still working, furlough or no income at all.

All these care questions I would ask. If you partner is still working and on 100%, I would say no. If both furlough, I might agree on 10% reduction to be repaid later.

If you're on your own, I might agree 20% reduction not needing to be repaid but I might ask more info such as whether you are still paying childcare.

Original poster

CobyKnobe · 08/04/2020 17:33

No partner.

On 1 month rolling.

Yes I will move as rents are coming down and now there's no agent fees it's worth the hassle of a man and a van for £200 to move my stuff

OP posts:

WombatChocolate · 26/06/2020 17:53

So what happened with this one? Did you ask and what was agreed? Have you moved?

I think asking for a rent holiday, which you intend to pay back is one thing. Asking for a permanant cut in rent is different....I assume that's what you were thinking about asking for.

Tenants sometimes ask for a rent reduction when their tenancy comes up for renewal. Landlords sometimes agree if there is a decent length tenancy agreed to.....ie not just ab periodic situation with 1 month notice.

In the end, it is a business transaction. You can ask....and they can answer. It's not entirely clear if you want to ask for reduced rent mainly because you just think rents are dropping (not sure this is actually true as supply is quite low due to tenants not moving) and want to get lower rent for yourself.....seems a rational decision really, although LL won't be thrilled, or if it's really because of affordability issues. I wondered if really you're just seeing an opportunity rather than it being about affordability long term.....again, rational to try for cheaper rent if you can get it.

What happened in the end?

I would agree to rent holidays during Covid ....think LLs should be flexible....but I would want to be paid at some point (made up over next year?) If tenants asked for an ongoing rent reduction or threatened to move out, I might agree to a small one - def no more than 5%, if they signed up to a decent length tenancy. If they weren't willing to do that, I think Inwould refuse. They might be bluffing about moving out, moving can still take them several weeks and I will advertise and get new tenants. As a LL you have to accept tenants will move out and it's a normal part of the process.

Whitepriv · 26/06/2020 20:53

My dad’s a landlord and has taken a 3 month payment break where he is only paying ‘interest which works out about 300pcm. Offered the reduction (ie they only pay the interest) to the tenants in his 2 houses and both have taken up the offer. Keeping tenants happy if you still have the means to break even feels fair to me.

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