AIBU to ask for more rent?

[ZaraW]

Even before Covid my tenant has always been behind with his rent. I've let him pay 50% since March when he lost his job.

He's now doing officer training for the RAF. I'm asking for £500 instead of £750.

Am I being unreasonable? Not sure how much they get during the training period.

Surely if he's behind on the rent he's not going to start paying you more?

Also, I'm not sure you're legally allowed to just up the rent.

Oh sorry, I read that wrong.

If he can't pay his rent then he needs notice to leave, sounds like it's been going on an awfully long time, and you were silly to allow it.

I don't think the OP is upping the rent. They've been letting him pay 50%, now they want 75%. Reasonable to demand 100% plus all the back rent owed, so this is fine.

YANBU at all, ask him and see if he can afford more. He should really be paying it fully so it is really nice of you in the first place.

I’d say if he’s now working you need a talk, that’s 6 mths of arrears, did you make it clear it was only temporary?

No you’re not unreasonable, but won’t he be moving into barracks for officer training?

Around £15,000 minimum starting salary in training apparently
www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/pay-benefits

Time to have a chat, he needs to pay market rate or leave.
You are not a charity and your mortgage holiday will soon stop.

I’m surprised he’s not in barracks too!

Are you sure he’s not doing Billy Bullshitter training?

Surely an RAF officer cadet is provided with accommodation as the training regime involves all sorts of diverse activities that involve close monitoring and assessment.

He’s always been behind on his rent and then you let him pay 50%?

You need better tenants.

My cousin’s RAF boyfriend (just finished training) was paying £70 a month for his accommodation. Bullshit.

Also, for the future: rent is based on the property, not the tenant’s income. Unless you’re his mum.

Why is he still there is he's behind his rent? If he's behind because of covid then that's understandable. If he's behind because he's an irresponsible ass, then get rid.

Do you mean he is under training or he is some sort of contracted instructor ?

Thanks for the responses. I'm working overseas and planning to move back into the property next summer. My letting agent is giving me the information.

Tenant wants to live in the property at the weekends then during the week he'll be doing training.

He lost his job because of Covid and was unable to get another.

Yes I'm aware rent is based on the property and I'm not his mum.

I admit I was stupid for this to continue as long as it has.

RAF officers don’t get to go home on weekends during initial training. They live at Cranwell for 6 months.

@Funkypolar

RAF officers don’t get to go home on weekends during initial training. They live at Cranwell for 6 months.

I just looked at the RAF website. Weekends are free for officer trainees. His base isn't Cranwell.

If you want it back for next summer, you’d probably be best starting getting it back now. Someone who has happily paid rent late and enjoyed 50% rent for a while too isn’t going to leave easily.

Ask for the full rent now he’s earning again or evict

Yeah not sure you're being told the truth here OP. Cranwell is where officer training takes place for the RAF and he won't be getting the first few weekends off!

ZaraW. I am ex-RAF. All officers initial training is Cranwell.

Other ranks go to Halston.

There are no regular weekends off during training. There may be some weekend leave granted but there is no guarantee. Weekend leave would start on a Saturday morning and end on a Sunday evening.

I’m not sure why he would need to continue paying private rent when after passing training he will be able to live in the mess, on base, for a reasonable fee.

Find a new tenant.

Thanks.... his training is in Halston. So he's not in officer training.

OK this sounds a bit off. Maybe he has someone living in the property and that's why he wants to keep it on at a cheap rent.

I did think initially why would he want to carry on living there if he's joined the RAF.

Something isn’t right with your tenant. When is he starting the course?

The latest batch of Officer cadets started last month so there won’t be another batch any time soon.

You say he lost his job due to Covid - it normally takes several months to join the RAF and due to Covid there have been more delays.

Think he’s telling fibs OP!