Page 15 | Unable to pay full rent

rossclare · 25/11/2021 22:32

No insurance fir this sort of thing at all.

S0upertrooper · 25/11/2021 23:37

I'm a LL. We rent out the home we used to live in. We had to move away for work and might have to return to live in our home at some point. We rent where we moved to, so also have a LL. We tried to sell our home and it was empty for a year before we reluctantly decided to rent it out.

It's actually quite expensive to rent out your property and a huge chunk of the rent goes to the agent, damage insurance, annual safety checks etc. The rent we receive does not cover our mortgage and as we pay rent elsewhere, we're out of pocket.

Not all LLs have an unlimited pot of money and yes we have insurance to pay for loss of rent but this isn't free and it's not worth claiming for 1 missed payment because the premium will automatically increase.

This is not your LLs responsibility, this is your employers and whilst I'm sorry you have to deal with this as it is stressful when you're on your own with a baby, you can't expect the LL to have the funds to cover missed rent. It's also stressful when you can't pay your mortgage.

Like PPs have said, keep on at your employer, go and physically see them. If you have a union go to your union rep, even if you've not joined, they'll help you.

When my DS was young I was a single parent on WFTC and on the bones of my arse, I get how hard it is but you ABU to direct your anger at your LL for something your employer has missed managed.

Bagamoyo1 · 26/11/2021 00:14

OP I wouldn’t piss about emailing your employer on Monday. I would go there tomorrow, first thing in the morning, and demand that this problem is fixed.

Newmumatlast · 26/11/2021 00:30

@bratzdoll

I'm a single parent currently on maternity leave so I receive UC monthly to help pay my rent and further bills. I'm private renting but I got the flat through the homelessness scheme (when you're homeless and in temporary accommodation but willing to take a private flat instead of waiting years in temporary accommodation until a council flat is available)

The benefit of private renting through the homelessness scheme is that the council are in contact with Landlords that are happy to rent to someone on UC and are usually happy to negotiate the monthly rent price.

I moved into the flat a few months ago and always pay my rent to the Landlord's agent one day before it's due just so the receive it without any problems or anything.

This month my UC was around £1100 less than it should have been because my employer incorrectly reported that I had earned around £2500 last month
I'm still only receiving SMP so I have no clue how they made such a drastic mistake but this means DD and I are living on near to nothing this month.

I sent an email to the Landlord's agent a few days before the rent was due to let them know the situation. I included screenshots of my UC Payment page so they could see the breakdown of what I normally get and see what was deducted. I did say I was able to contribute a small amount to the rent (less than £200 as I was given less than £400 from UC to live on for the month)
I also let them know that I spoke to my work coach about what happened as she's raised this with the investigation team so hopefully she'll hear back from them soon.

I spoke to the agent on the phone the day before the rent was due (I always speak to the manager btw) and she was very understanding and just said to update her with what happens. The next morning I get an email from her saying the Landlord was not happy at all (understandingly) and that I need to do whatever it takes to be able to pay the rent in full including taking out an overdraft!

I've never not paid my rent since I've lived here and it's not as if I got the dates mixed up or I spent the money on something else. The rent amount wasn't given to me for no fault of my own. I was a bit shocked at the Landlord's response as I'd literally given him more than half of what I received just to be able to contribute something. When in reality I could have kept it and spent that on myself and my daughter as we desperately need it!

There's often a discussion on Twitter about some Landlords and how they refuse to be understanding even in unavoidable situations. I understand I'm renting and effectively helping to pay off his mortgage, but this wasn't my fault at all.

(just in case anyone wants to bash me for being on benefits, I've been working full time since I was 17. It's more or less impossible to be a single parent living on SMP)

I wouldnt worry at this stage OP as landlord unlikely to apply for possession after only one month missed. I would, though, try to apply for a discretionary housing payment as PP have said and also ensure that your UC is going to be backdated for the error. I would even consider speaking to your employer as it is their cock up. They may be able to arrange an advance on your wages while you wait for UC rectification (unless that would mess it up more). If worried, speak to someone like Shelter or CAB. But do not panic.

Newmumatlast · 26/11/2021 00:36

@S0upertrooper

I'm a LL. We rent out the home we used to live in. We had to move away for work and might have to return to live in our home at some point. We rent where we moved to, so also have a LL. We tried to sell our home and it was empty for a year before we reluctantly decided to rent it out.

It's actually quite expensive to rent out your property and a huge chunk of the rent goes to the agent, damage insurance, annual safety checks etc. The rent we receive does not cover our mortgage and as we pay rent elsewhere, we're out of pocket.

Not all LLs have an unlimited pot of money and yes we have insurance to pay for loss of rent but this isn't free and it's not worth claiming for 1 missed payment because the premium will automatically increase.

This is not your LLs responsibility, this is your employers and whilst I'm sorry you have to deal with this as it is stressful when you're on your own with a baby, you can't expect the LL to have the funds to cover missed rent. It's also stressful when you can't pay your mortgage.

Like PPs have said, keep on at your employer, go and physically see them. If you have a union go to your union rep, even if you've not joined, they'll help you.

When my DS was young I was a single parent on WFTC and on the bones of my arse, I get how hard it is but you ABU to direct your anger at your LL for something your employer has missed managed.

It didnt come across as anger to me and even if it were, I think it is at LL not being understanding at all - suggesting arranging overdrafts etc.

Personally I don't think anyone should be a LL unless they have a cushion for things like this. It isnt that OP won't pay just not this month for unforeseeable reasons. There are way worse situations LLs will experience from Tenants... all of which LLs should be prepared for when renting properties (though of course they should reasonably expect to receive rent - it's just things happen which any sensible LL would plan for). It seems the market is flooded with people who have decided to become LLs because buy to let's seemed a great opportunity to make some money and get an asset paid for which would increase in value, yet many aren't experienced enough or knowledgeable enough to fulfil the role. Yes, LLs should be paid but also ensure they are reasonable too with things like this. If they are so strapped for the cash they can't be, it isn't a sensible role to take up. Sometimes tenants don't pay for a long time, court action can be long and costly, and costs orders are often not recoverable as tenants don't have the money. None of that is fair to LLs either but something that happens and so should be prepared for really. It's why I am holding off being a LL though have family members who are with a number of properties

EmeraldShamrock · 26/11/2021 00:46

As a tenant you are only as good as your last payment.
Hopefully you can resolve this.
I know it's hard but try save £20 a week from now incase it happens again.

Original poster

bratzdoll · 26/11/2021 01:06

@Bagamoyo1

OP I wouldn’t piss about emailing your employer on Monday. I would go there tomorrow, first thing in the morning, and demand that this problem is fixed.

I'm in London, work's based in Kent. I won't take DD and get on a train to turn up at work as my line manager is a covering manager who works in another office nowhere near Kent! It'd just be my colleagues in the office so nothing they could help me with unfortunately

OP posts:

JustLyra · 26/11/2021 01:07

@EmeraldShamrock

As a tenant you are only as good as your last payment. Hopefully you can resolve this. I know it's hard but try save £20 a week from now incase it happens again.

What a crass thing to say.

People on UC and SMP are unlikely to have a spare £80+ a month laying around

SherryPalmer · 26/11/2021 02:10

Op, it sounds like you’re doing what you can to get this sorted.

Don’t take the landlord’s response too seriously. It could well be being embellished by the agent because they will also not be getting their full commission if the rent is under. I expect the landlord is unhappy/worried that the rent won’t be paid at all but rent issues are fairly common whoever your tenants are (even in the luxury sector where payments may be coming from abroad or handled by a third party). There is zero chance that your landlord is going to do anything other than complain about the situation.

dontletthemugglesgetyoudownn · 26/11/2021 02:48

@bratzdoll do not give the landlord anymore. He took on a UC tenant there are issues with UC all the time. Do what you can with the payroll and keep the landlord in the loop by email so it's written down.

I'll pm you tomorrow.

EllieLucy · 26/11/2021 03:16

This is totally norma with private landlords. You're lucky you only got told to pay the rent, instead of being given an eviction notice which was my friends situation when she said that due to her employers error (she wasn't paid at all!) rent would be a week late. Private landlords aren't social housing and don't care about your situation.

CatonMat · 26/11/2021 04:29

An eviction notice isnt immediately enforceable, as the landlord, tenant, and everyone else knows.

Da1sycha1n · 26/11/2021 04:37

@Skyll

It’s really not the landlord being unreasonable. They’ll have to pay their mortgage regardless.

Hopefully UC won’t take too long to get sorted

Yeah, landlords are - in the main - unreasonable. Buying up loads of vacant property that drives the house prices up, adding to the housing crisis in this country. Those empty places could have been purchased by housing associations, but they are priced out, or by people who are then also priced out and end up renting properties.

OP - please don't worry. DO NOT go overdrawn to pay someone else's mortgage!
You can also apply to your council for Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) which tops up the UC.

What a crap thing to have happened, especially at this time of year if you do celebrate Christmas.

Hope it gets sorted.

SunShinesBrightly · 26/11/2021 06:16

Da1sycha1n

Yeah, landlords are - in the main - unreasonable. Buying up loads of vacant property that drives the house prices up, adding to the housing crisis in this country. Those empty places could have been purchased by housing associations, but they are priced out, or by people who are then also priced out and end up renting properties.

We live in a capitalist society.
‘A’ majority of people in this country voted for a capitalist government.
I agree with everything you say above but nothing will change.

willithappen · 26/11/2021 08:11

@EllieLucy

This is totally norma with private landlords. You're lucky you only got told to pay the rent, instead of being given an eviction notice which was my friends situation when she said that due to her employers error (she wasn't paid at all!) rent would be a week late. Private landlords aren't social housing and don't care about your situation.

Not sure the location you are based in so can't for sure say but right now with the Covid act, serving notice after a payment is a couple days late isn't allowed

In Scotland the rent arrears must be at least one months arrears over a period of three months before an eviction notice can be served and even then it's six months notice you are required to give the tenant if this is a reason for eviction.

lousanne · 26/11/2021 08:18

*@bratzdoll 'someone earlier said that my failure to pay my rent might delay the Landlord from expanding his property portfolio or means he can't afford a trip to the Caribbean this winter!!!
Meanwhile I'm thinking how the hell am I gonna pay for gas, electric and baby food!'
*
Your inability to pay for your baby is not your landlord's problem. Well off people don't owe it to you with their explanation of wealth and WHY you must pay your rent so they can go on holiday.

CatonMat · 26/11/2021 08:21

I think it has been shown that @bratzdoll pays her rent without fail, ordinarily, don't you?

Original poster

bratzdoll · 26/11/2021 08:39

@CatonMat

I think it has been shown that *@bratzdoll* pays her rent without fail, ordinarily, don't you?

Yes lol🙄 Some people are changing the situation to fit their own wayward narrative! So strange

OP posts:

GrolliffetheDragon · 26/11/2021 09:28

Your inability to pay for your baby is not your landlord's problem. Well off people don't owe it to you with their explanation of wealth and WHY you must pay your rent so they can go on holiday.

Actually poverty and the effects it has on children is everybody's problem, whether they realise it or not.

AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 26/11/2021 10:05

@CatonMat

I think it has been shown that *@bratzdoll* pays her rent without fail, ordinarily, don't you?

No. The OP was in a homeless shelter and has been in her current flat for only a short period of time.

CatonMat · 26/11/2021 10:07

Yes, and during the short period of time in her current home, she had paid her rent each time it is due.

AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 26/11/2021 10:07

@user1493494961

Hopefully, you're getting child maintenance from your baby's father.

That is quite the mystery.

Magicalwoodlands · 26/11/2021 10:10

It isn’t a mystery, it is simply no one else’s business.

CatonMat · 26/11/2021 10:11

As it should be.
Nobody is obliged to put down every detail of their life online, particularly when people are intent on finding reasons to then use it as a stick to beat her with.
She has done nothing wrong.

Original poster

bratzdoll · 26/11/2021 10:16

@AlfonsoTheUnrepentant what is your problem?? You clearly have some obsession with my child's father as that's the only thing you've commented on. As people have pointed out already, it's none of your business.

No. The OP was in a homeless shelter and has been in her current flat for only a short period of time.

Show me where I said I was in a homeless shelter??
I was in TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION. That can be a studio flat, a one/two bedroom or a hostel depending on how many people there are and your circumstance.

You still have rent to pay that goes to the council. As I worked full time I wasn't eligible for housing benefit so yes I did pay my rent on time every week. Fucking hell some of you people are so ignorant. Clearly have no idea how life in the real world works.
Homeless shelter? What a joke

OP posts: