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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rent arrears

160 replies

Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 00:47

According to news night there are thousands of people who have fallen behind with their rent. Whilst I appreciate some are genuine I can’t see how anyone on benefits or on a pension can have been that badly affected. Similarly with people furloughed.
So my question is are a lot taking advantage of a bad situation.?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 02:35

There are obviously a lot of genuine cases and no one is denying that.

OP posts:
lyralalala · 21/08/2020 02:42

@Pixxie7

There are obviously a lot of genuine cases and no one is denying that.
I can’t see how anyone on benefits or on a pension can have been that badly affected

You are in that statement

Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 03:02

My comments about benefits and pensions are based on the fact that their income would have essentially stayed the same.

OP posts:
lyralalala · 21/08/2020 03:21

@Pixxie7

My comments about benefits and pensions are based on the fact that their income would have essentially stayed the same.
And completely ignores the fact that their living costs went up considerably and they are often the people least likely to be able to afford those rises.

Same with your comment about people being furloughed. If you live payday to payday then losing 20% of your income every month will push you into the red from month one. Many people are now on their 5th month of furlough - that's one whole wage lost and that's simply unaffordable.

Catsup · 21/08/2020 03:28

But if they weren't previously on benefits then that's a massive change? The same can be said for those furloughed who've had to take at least a 20% income drop into account. As for those on pensions it's been an absolute nightmare getting on the 'vulnerable list' for delivery slots from supermarkets. One of my parents was fortunate to make the criteria, but the other didn't make the cut. They're very independent/drive themselves, and would normally pootle to the local supermarket for the cut price labels. They resorted to one of the very pricey companies that do the 'ready meals for the elderly' to stock up their freezer in the end 😳. And frankly they were lucky they had the money to pay for it vs worrying if the food, gas, electric would run out first. Both myself and my sibling live at the other side of the country, so popping to the local Tesco on their behalf wasn't exactly going to happen. There's a shit load of very valid reasons why people just have not had the money to prioritise rent. And food/heating do have to come first.

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher86 · 21/08/2020 03:32

I'm on benefits thanks to a disability. You're right that my income stayed the same. Other people on benefits saw theirs increase because even the government realises that longer at home = higher cost of living. I have to make up the part of my rent that the government don't pay which is all I can afford on a good month. HTH.

islandislandisland · 21/08/2020 03:41

Two of my friends, a couple- he recently went self employed, Covid left him with zero work overnight, zero opportunities for work and therefore zero income. Not entitled to any financial help. Main breadwinner by a significant amount. Her- poorly paid keyworker, has worked throughout. But they instantaneously cannot afford their mortgage payments. If they were renting then they wouldn't be able to afford that either (and it would probably be higher monthly than their mortgage payments), and they wouldn't get the mortgage holiday they have had. I'm sure there are many similar situations among private renters.

Catsup · 21/08/2020 03:41

As for landlords being in financial dire straits too, I totally agree with that part. My DS was contacted by their letting agency on their landlords behalf to ask if they were going to be put in financial hardship, and did they need to negotiate on what could be put in place? As it happens they were very fortunate things have pretty much continued for them financially the same. But they really appreciated that the landlord reached out to ask! If a landlord didn't make an effort to contact tenants for at least a discussion? Then personally I'd say more fool on the landlord than the tenant.

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/08/2020 03:41

My friend who was furloughed propped me up financially in the early days.
There's something wrong there.

Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 04:10

All the points made are valid and I repeat their are many genuine cases, however there are also people who have taken advantage of the Covid crises.

OP posts:
islandislandisland · 21/08/2020 04:19

I wonder if employers taking advantage of furlough is contributing- my partner is part time furloughed after months full furlough and his work could still have run throughout. It's like his company saw an opportunity to 'pause' the business, slow down the work and retain their staff for a number of months free. Great for them, not so much for us!

heartsonacake · 21/08/2020 04:24

@Pixxie7

People furloughed received 80% of their salary so may be a short fall but not months of not paying.
Don’t be so naive.

80% of their pay yes, but being at home their costs have increased. More food is needed, more spent on electricity and water etc. etc.

Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 04:35

I don’t think I am naive I am well aware of the extra expenses but the rent still has to be paid.

OP posts:
lyralalala · 21/08/2020 04:37

@Pixxie7

I don’t think I am naive I am well aware of the extra expenses but the rent still has to be paid.
People are making the choice between eating and paying rent. Food is going to take priority.

All the points made are valid and I repeat their are many genuine cases, however there are also people who have taken advantage of the Covid crises.

The people who have taken advantage and done so by risking their home will not be the "lot of people" you mentioned, but a small minority.

heartsonacake · 21/08/2020 04:39

@Pixxie7

I don’t think I am naive I am well aware of the extra expenses but the rent still has to be paid.
You are naive, and ignorant.

Rent might need to be paid but that doesn’t mean people have the ability to pay it.

Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 04:50

There is no need to be rude you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Like a lot of people I have been through tough times and I know how it is to struggle.

OP posts:
Catsup · 21/08/2020 04:54

But realistically rent arrears will at worst lead to eviction, court costs. Non council tax payment can in worst case scenario lead to three months in jail. No food, gas, electric can lead to starvation, and death by hypothermia. So yes, whilst it's clearly a priority it's not the number one priority if you can't pay. And even with substantial rent arrears most landlords are far more willing to enter repayment negotions vs going down the eviction route as its expensive and time consuming.

lyralalala · 21/08/2020 05:08

@Pixxie7

There is no need to be rude you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Like a lot of people I have been through tough times and I know how it is to struggle.
No-one has been rude.

You've started a thread in which you've stated that people on benefits, getting a pension and on furlough are taking the piss by deliberately getting into rent arrears. You are obviousy going to get robust replies to such a goady thread.

SheepandCow · 21/08/2020 05:10

People can't magic money out of nowhere. Housing benefits are much less than private rents in many parts of the country.
This is why homelessness has increased so much.

Savings only last so long. Wages have been driven down over the last two decades, just as rents increased. Many people can't afford to save because all their money goes on the essentials.

Most of the media reports about the looming mass evictions fail to mention many private tenants are at serious risk of homelessness ^despite^ paying their rent in full with no arrears. This is because of the Section 21 No Fault evictions, which many landlords will use to make people (including those in the clinically vulnerable groups) homeless in the cold/flu season during a global pandemic. They'll evict tenants simply for being on benefits despite them paying full rent.

The arrears situation could easily be resolved. Pay housing benefits that meet market rents and pay directly to landlords if any arrears. If tenants aren't receiving benefits but are working, have arrears and rent deducted directly from wages, similar to child maintenance when the non resident parent refuses to pay.

Original poster
Pixxie7 · 21/08/2020 05:11

I suggest you read my original post I didn’t say it was any of these people and find it difficult to understand why so many people are in arrears.

OP posts:
Sunflowerlover20 · 21/08/2020 05:12

Unfortunately many found it hard to make ends meet before Covid some on benefits and some not. So if they are now receiving 20% less in income or even worse have lost their job altogether then they are even worse off and are struggling to pay their rent as well as other household bills. The benefits they will receive will not cover all costs and if it’s between feeding their kids or paying rent then obviously they will feed their kids, as I would do! Food prices have gone up a lot as well as other utilities that are now being used more from being at home. It’s not always as simple as to just say rent should come first!

lyralalala · 21/08/2020 05:13

@Pixxie7

I suggest you read my original post I didn’t say it was any of these people and find it difficult to understand why so many people are in arrears.
Your original post says...

According to news night there are thousands of people who have fallen behind with their rent. Whilst I appreciate some are genuine I can’t see how anyone on benefits or on a pension can have been that badly affected. Similarly with people furloughed.
So my question is are a lot taking advantage of a bad situation.?

The connection you made between people on benefits, on a pension or furloughed and those you believe are taking advantage by not paying their rent is clear to all.

Catsup · 21/08/2020 05:19

But you've had umpteen replies giving a multitude of extremely valid, and in a lot of cases first hand accounts of exactly why people have accrued rent arrears. And yet you're still saying you don't understand why? I'll go out on a limb and state there's a lot I don't necessarily know a lot about. But when I'm presented with information regarding the reasons/facts relating to those things, I tend to listen and take that on board. I'm not being goady or trying to be ignorant, but I'm not understanding why you are stating you still don't understand this OP?

heartsonacake · 21/08/2020 05:20

@Pixxie7

There is no need to be rude you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Like a lot of people I have been through tough times and I know how it is to struggle.
I’m not being rude just because you don’t like what I’m saying Confused
SheepandCow · 21/08/2020 05:20

To be fair it used to be reasonable to say rent comes first. In the past people could survive on benefits or low income jobs. We also used to be more like the rest of Europe with secure private tenancies and rent control. Which is how it should be in a civilised society. It certainly wasn't fun or in any way a life of luxury but people had enough for the essentials. Unfortunately we've gone backwards.

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