To offer a financial incentive to my tenants to move out?

[Wherediditgo]

Tenants are struggling and have fallen further and further in to arrears. The first time they were short by £200, I just wrote it off as a ‘good will’ gesture as I had only just taken over the tenancy.

Every time they’ve paid late so far, they’ve emailed the letting agent to let them know and I haven’t pushed back. They’re about £1000 in arrears now.

To complicate the matter further, DH & I have decided to separate, and I am looking to move in to the house they currently occupy. They have already told the agent they’re looking elsewhere as they’re struggling to afford the rent. The agent seems sceptical. Do I:

A. Serve them notice (now 4 months) and wait, knowing full well they’re probably not going to pay the rent for the remaining time they’re there

B. Offer to clear their arrears if they move out sooner? How would this work legally I wonder? Would I have to get them to give notice to me?

C. Another blindingly obvious suggestion that I haven’t thought of.

Please be kind, I know on the whole MN doesn’t like landlords... but I’m struggling with getting my head around my emotional situation, let alone my financial one.

Not that it matters hugely, but the tenants are starting to get snarky with the agent now too...

@Anna727b

Could your husband not move out of your current house instead? Surely he'd be much more able to find a flat/house to buy/rent if you're a financial position to own extra properties.

Your tenants may not be able to find anything else and become homeless, it sounds like they genuinely have been trying to pay but struggling rather than choosing not to.

araiwa' suggestion might work otherwise.

Why should dh move out??

[quote Holidaystuff]@Waspsarearseholes
Okay well that's fine if the OP genuinely couldn't afford to move elsewhere or for her ex to move elsewhere.

The reasons I think my suggestion is fair are:

1. The family involved could be made homeless with a young child and whilst the female tenant is pregnant; causing them significant distress.

1. It's very likely that they simply don't have the money to pay rather than that they are choosing not to- a lot of the posts on this thread are based on the assumption that they are somehow 'bad tenants' who are 'refusing to pay' but what choice do you have if you're genuinely poor?

I would much rather a wealthy man pay rent on a flat than a poor family with young kids be made homeless.[/quote]
Your post does make sense. And this has honestly gone through my head. I do feel we have a duty to allow them to live in their home.

At the same time, my current circumstances are less than ideal and I don’t want to hang around much longer (long story but I posted in the relationships thread the other week if you fancy a bit of light reading!)

Of course, the money comes in to play too. Moving to a new house will cost me a lot of money and I do have a son as well. Plus it could take months and months.

I just wanted you to know that I’m not a heartless landlord, I’m just a woman in a tough situation trying to navigate through it as best I can.

[quote Holidaystuff]@Waspsarearseholes
Okay well that's fine if the OP genuinely couldn't afford to move elsewhere or for her ex to move elsewhere.

The reasons I think my suggestion is fair are:

1. The family involved could be made homeless with a young child and whilst the female tenant is pregnant; causing them significant distress.

1. It's very likely that they simply don't have the money to pay rather than that they are choosing not to- a lot of the posts on this thread are based on the assumption that they are somehow 'bad tenants' who are 'refusing to pay' but what choice do you have if you're genuinely poor?

I would much rather a wealthy man pay rent on a flat than a poor family with young kids be made homeless.[/quote]
What if that 'poor family' didn't pay their rent though? And already owe £1,000

Is that fair on the OP, and if the 'man' can afford to rent a flat somewhere, why can't the op (I know later on op says she has a ds)