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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rent reduction

101 replies

Peachplum29 · 01/03/2022 12:36

For the next 3 months I’m going to have a drop in income and I’ve worked out a budget and worked out all my bill payments etc and I realised I’m going to over spend. Would it be unreasonable to ask my landlord for a 3 month rent reduction of £50 to then pay an extra £50 a month rent for 3 months there after to pay it back? What would be the bestway of going about this?

OP posts:
crochetmylifeaway · 01/03/2022 13:55

My parents rent out a house and have always said if their tenant is going to struggle then they should speak to them first and sort it out. Problems occur when the tenants haven't paid or simply decided to pay less or change dates without prior agreement.

It's only temporary and the worst they can say is no.

averythinline · 01/03/2022 13:56

Have you checked to see if your entitled to universal credit? You seem on small margins for important things so it maybe worth checking your getting everything you should.....

Hesma · 01/03/2022 13:56

As you’re in a rolling contract I would definitely say no… you could disappear in 3 months and I’d be out of pocket

Mamiddaubach · 01/03/2022 14:03

I'm a landlord and I would agree. I would much prefer for you to ask to do this rather than late payments etc.

Seraphinesupport · 01/03/2022 14:04

i would do this, you can only ask

ProfFloss · 01/03/2022 14:04

@AlannaOfTrebond

I'm a landlord and if one of my tenants asked me this I would do my best to accommodate their request as long as they had a good payment history.

In fact I have done this in the past for tenants temporarily struggling.

I agree with this 100%

No shame in asking, what’s the worse they can say?

betwixtlives · 01/03/2022 14:09

hell no, your LL will be wondering if you’re going to be able to pay full rent in future and possibly consider getting rid of you

Aprilx · 01/03/2022 14:14

When I was an accidental landlord, I only asked for two things, pay rent and look after the property. If a relatively new tenant (as you are) came to me wanting me to help them manage their cashflow over £50 a month it would be a warning bell for me, I am looking for financially secure tenants. I might agree to it though, but I would be thinking hard at the end of your tenancy as I don’t want to be responsible for your £50 a month cash flow issues.

TicTacHoh · 01/03/2022 14:14

I'm a LL and would not do this, as I wouldn't be sure how you could afford to pay an extra £50 in the subsequent months, when you cannot pay it now.

Rent and mortgage first, other things next.

LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee · 01/03/2022 14:14

After only 8 months I wouldn’t ask. It doesn’t look good to the landlord and he’ll worry that after the 3m you’ll ask for 3 more months or for the rent level to stay at current rent - 50£.

Trytryandtryagain11 · 01/03/2022 14:16

I would be extremely wary, and only do this as an absolute last resort. The housing market at the moment is CRAZY there are so many people I know not able to secure rentals as they are going so fast, and they are having to bid for them, pay upfront etc.
I'd worry that your landlord may accept the reduction but start to feel you are unreliable and not renew your tenancy which long term would put you in a much much worse position xx

Hankunamatata · 01/03/2022 14:18

I'm not a credit card fan but in this case id put the £50 each month on an interest free credit card then pay back

crowsfeet57 · 01/03/2022 14:18

I really wouldn't ask as you have only been there for 8 months. It's not very long.

raeray · 01/03/2022 14:19

@Treacletoots

Landlord here. Simply say what you've said here. I'd rather know you're struggling and help than you not be able to live and risk losing an honest tenant.

Honestly, we're not all arseholes.

Same here.
kleew1 · 01/03/2022 14:19

I'm a landlord and would say yes to this. When I say landlord, I rent my flat. I'd go the extra mile for a good tenent and would expect this back, it's mutual respect. Nothing wrong with asking! I let my tenent pay 4 weekly rather than monthly and in arrears - it's worked for both of us although I may be the anomaly

CarConfession · 01/03/2022 14:22

As a landlord I’d be willing to accept this. It would be harder to chase you for missed rent, or find a new renter? As long as you’ve consistently paid in the past, I’d be fine with this? I think it does depend if you rent from a company or a person, and how reliant they are on the income though?

BottleOfSun · 01/03/2022 14:22

Don’t do that, if you are on a rolling contact then you literally could be asked to vacate, why would they want to keep a tenant who is underpaying when they could easily get a new one who could potentially pay even more than you are now?!

MissAngorian · 01/03/2022 14:22

My landlord would say yes to this - but I've been a tenant of his for a long time and we have a good relationship. It's always worth an ask?

Notyourtypicalvirgo · 01/03/2022 14:58

@Peachplum29

For the next 3 months I’m going to have a drop in income and I’ve worked out a budget and worked out all my bill payments etc and I realised I’m going to over spend. Would it be unreasonable to ask my landlord for a 3 month rent reduction of £50 to then pay an extra £50 a month rent for 3 months there after to pay it back? What would be the bestway of going about this?
If you have their number you can always ask.

My partner owns several HMOs and he reduced rent for some of his tenants that lost their jobs during the pandemic.

If you're a good tenant who doesn't cause any problems, a landlord would rather keep you with a temporary rent reduction than take a risk and find someone else who might trash their house, not pay their rent at all or sneak a great Dane in.....

ForeverSingle881 · 01/03/2022 15:09

Is it worth losing some good will with your landlord over only £50? What if something else happens in a few months? He/she will be less lenient as they will have already helped you out.

1Day2GoAgain · 01/03/2022 15:43

Is there nothing else that you can cut down on ?

Can you do some overtime or a second job ?

April, will you be eligible for the £150 Council tax rebate ?

Look at free & cheap food from Olio & Too Good To Go apps for food in your local area

Rent is a priority bill

CandlesBlanketsandTea · 01/03/2022 15:46

OP having been through two section 21 notices in one year, and having never missed a payment I wouldn't risk asking. The housing market is like the wild west at the moment, it's so difficult getting a house and this wouldn't look good on your record. I would exhaust every other option first.

Amei · 01/03/2022 15:48

My mum let her tenants pay a reduced rate whilst they were unemployed for a short while - you can always ask - the worst they will say is no. It's not like you're asking for a reduction but not willing to pay it back, unless they are a hermit they will realise that times are very hard, never mind without a drop in income xx

Twixie2022 · 01/03/2022 15:49

I would definitely ask the question. My parents are landlords and have done stuff like this in the passed for tenants. There is no harm in asking the question to your landlord. The worst they can say is no.

NannyOggsWhiskyStash · 01/03/2022 16:10

@Associatepeggy

It really depends on the landlord and your relationship with them. Presuming you have rented a long time and have a good relationship with them, I don't think ita ridiculous to ask at all.
This. I own a rental flat, and I would do this if my tenant was normally on time with their rent etc.