To think about kicking out (good) tenants?

[pctmmn]

I've had them for over three years and never missed a payment. But in April they said they were struggling so offered a 1/5th rent discount for three months. When this ended they asked for another three months. It doesn't affect my bottom line has I've taken out a 6 month mortgage holiday and the payments won't increase when they start again as it's added to the term.

I've been able to build up a bit of cash, but one works at a hotel and the other manages a resterant.

Would I be unreasonable to ask them to confirm the full rent needs to be paid for September else I'll give them notice? I really want someone in there paying the full rent and it feels like I'm subbing them right now.

Theres a real risk now that saying "out, next!" will result in you finding there actually isn't anyone queueing up to replace them this month, or next month, or the month after that. You're giving up your 80% of current rent in favour of potentially no rent
OP has already gone through this risk assessment and believe she would get tenants who would pay her asking price.

You could suggest they sublet the spare room to make up the 20% until they are back on their feet, since they are good tenants they might go for it if they know it will secure their tenancy for the time being. I do think yabu, ofcourse you have let them off with paying less rent due to circumstances out of their control but you seem ready to jump the gun before having a proper discussion with them.

@dontdisturbmenow

Theres a real risk now that saying "out, next!" will result in you finding there actually isn't anyone queueing up to replace them this month, or next month, or the month after that. You're giving up your 80% of current rent in favour of potentially no rent OP has already gone through this risk assessment and believe she would get tenants who would pay her asking price.

Exactly, places are shifting quickly right now, so I've got confidence they could be replaced.

You could suggest they sublet the spare room to make up the 20% until they are back on their feet
Why should OP be the one to suggest ideas to help them meet their obligations? How about they contact OP, say their situation is not looking to get better but they have found someone to move in and pay 20%, could they discuss vetting that person and agreeing to taking on a lodger.

OP has no duty to help them find solutions to their problems.

@PatriciaPerch
The OP replied to your comment-
I didn't say I was two years off paying the mortgage. You've invented that.

Yesterday 11:03 she said - In a couple of years I will be mortgage free so Obviously I'm doing very well at it!

So close to paying off the mortgage and yet with "wafer thin margins" and needing a six month mortgage holiday to "build up some reserves"

I'm not sure you're doing as well as you think you are.

Oh dear OP - think your tenants are going nowhere

Gosh, you sound dreadful OP. Have you ever heard of karma? You should be careful - you reap what you sow!

Tricky.. Personally if you can afford to give them a break, thinking about lost months rent finding others... I would... However I would also do it with caveats. People take the piss otherwise.

@thewallisblue

Gosh, you sound dreadful OP. Have you ever heard of karma? You should be careful - you reap what you sow!

As do the tenants. They didn’t pay their rent in full so they’ll have to face the consequences of that and find somewhere else to live once OP can get them out.

Perhaps they’ll choose somewhere more affordable this time.

Be careful what you wish for. My neighbour was looking for new tenants just as lockdown started, the house has sat empty since; despite plenty of viewings.

You've profited from the pandemic, it's not costing you anything, you've had a 6 month mortgage holiday where they've continued to pay (towards what one might ask?) and they're good tenants. Why would you kick them out? All they're asking for is a bit of a cushion.
You could land yourself with bad tenants, or no tenants at all. For what? Greed?

Views like this are why landlords get such a bad name for themselves.

@heartsonacake erm they could afford it when they moved in and the landlord agreed to the discount. You sound delightful.

Just wanted to say that you sound awful. At first, I felt sorry for you, as it is a difficult situation and I know it is tough on landlords as well as renters. Your next comments were just awful and to believe that 'white collars' will be a safe bet is just naive.

You state that it is not expensive to move- I assume you will be giving them back their deposit in advance to move then? They will need to place a holding deposit and a 5-week deposit before they can move. Presumably, if one has lost their job and one has been furloughed they won't have a deposit to place down and therefore will be homeless. I hope if you do evict them then you will release their deposit earlier so they can use this for their move.

Did people (well, actually probs only @heartsonacake) not notice coronavirus, when they started blaming the tenants?

Yeah, get rid of them, OP. Then find yourself stuck with the sort of crap tenants that are all too common, who will default on the rent AND wreck your property.

I speak from experience - I didn't mean to be a landlord but couldn't sell when I moved to the other end of the country. And I have been a good tenant - you would be surprised at the lengths that experienced landlords will got to to keep a good tenant.

@PatriciaPerch

she can't evict them heartsonacake, the government have prolonged the OP 'suffering' my heart just bleeds for her

That’s why I said once she can get them out.