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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I can't pay rent this month.

59 replies

AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:25

Not an aibu, but yeah..

April hasn't been kind to me, everything seems to have broke, needs replaced, renewed etc. Topped off by someone crashing into my car, writing it off and driving off today. I live payday to payday pretty much as is, I'm a single parent as DH sadly passed away and it's been tough getting back on my feet since then.

My rent is due soon and I just don't think I can afford it. I know no one can really answer this, but how likely is it they will want me to leave if I ask to pay a couple of weeks late? I'll get paid again soon and the car insurance will have paid out, so it's not I can't afford rent at all, just I can't right not.
The feeling of seeing less than my rent money in my bank is making me so stressed but u just Don't know how else I can solve this Sad

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 10/04/2022 23:30

Do you claim everything you are entitled to? Speak to your landlord, the worst thing you could do right now would be to keep them in the dark. I hope things improve for you soon.

SummerWhisper · 10/04/2022 23:30

Talk to your landlord ASAP and tell them when you will pay. They can't evict you - they may not even notice and by the time they do, you will have paid. Evictions require a served notice, which you can dispute because you will be up to date. Check your contract on this. Hope you have a better month every month going forward Flowers

AdoraBell · 10/04/2022 23:31

Do you have a good relationship with your landlord? I would contact them and explain about the difficulties and say it’s only this month, everything will be back on track next month.

mumwon · 10/04/2022 23:32

talk to your landlord
If you have previously been a good tenant & always paid on time
Can you pay part of it?

Anon778833 · 10/04/2022 23:32

It’s quite difficult for landlords to evict you and I don’t think they can start proceedings against you until you’re at least 2 weeks late with the rent.

MissM2912 · 10/04/2022 23:33

Is it private or social rent?

lonelydad2021 · 10/04/2022 23:33

Check your contract. They usually give you a couple of weeks before charging interest, etc. I have forgotten to pay rent for a few days and nothing has happened. Best would be to approach the landlord though.

BanjoKnockers · 10/04/2022 23:35

Agreed - speak to the landlord ASAP and pre-warn. That's the best you can do. It's better to let other bills go unpaid, I would say, rather than rent if you can, in other words to prioritise rent over things like credit card payments, utility bills etc, but it sounds like it's too late for that.

AiryFairy1 · 10/04/2022 23:35

Sorry you’re having tough month OP, sounds very stressful.
I don’t have experience but I think being upfront with your LL is the way to go.

I really don’t think you’ll be kicked out for being a bit late with one payment…

LoudingVoice · 10/04/2022 23:35

Sorry you’re having such a tough time.

Speak to your landlord asap and explain the situation.

It’s far more difficult for them to make you leave than you probably realise, and loads of hassle for them too! Honestly, for the sake of a couple of weeks I hope they’ll let it go.

Original poster
AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:37

My contract says there will be charges if rent is left unpaid after 14 days, but nothing about how long they leave till they start to evict.

I have been here almost 2 years and only once have a paid late, by one day as I forgot.

Private rent through a letting agency, who at the last inspection commented on me being one of the better tenants so maybe they would be a little forgiving? I could realistically offer to pay half

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 10/04/2022 23:39

I’m sure you have a few weeks
Hopefully the car insurance payout won’t take long - that was such bad luck to be crashed into today, made worse by them driving off. What did the police say?

Original poster
AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:40

I have put on hold any payments I can, but I'm reluctant to not pay other as the charge is higher than what it states in my contract for late rent, and I'm keen to avoid being in this position again so really hope to avoid even more chargesSad

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 10/04/2022 23:40

Have you family who can help?

Original poster
AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:44

Police are looking into it, there is cctv but they had false plates so not sure how likely they are to catch up with them.
Thankfully the insurance have been amazing, they just need their mechanic people to confirm its a write off (15 year old fiat, smashed into the side, so highly unlikely they will repair it) and then they will post a cheque which will ease things a little.

OP posts:
Original poster
AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:45

Family are all feeling it financially so can't really help... My elderly uncle has kindly offered me his car, as he was thinking of giving up driving soon anyway, in exchange for taking him to sainsburys on a Saturday morning, so that is already a huge help.
No one else is really in a position to offer financial help though.

OP posts:
Icanflyhigh · 10/04/2022 23:46

The fact you are with an agency is massively helpful. Speak to them, keep them informed and explain the situation. The worse thing you can do is nothing. Be upfront and honest and they will undoubtedly be sympathetic to your situation x

SummerWhisper · 10/04/2022 23:46

If you pay half then the most you will be in a month's time is two week's arrears, so you might avoid charges.

worriedaboutmoney2022 · 10/04/2022 23:46

@AprilistheWorst

I agree with other posters and speak to the lettings agents tomorrow - if possible go in and speak to them face to face and be really honest and offer them (on the rent due date) what you can feasibly afford and then sort out a plan to pay the rest.

Check this site www.entitledto.co.uk

To see if you are getting what you need

Universal credit can do an emergency advance in some circumstances my cousin got some sort of crisis loan to help her last year she went to the job centre and they have the benefits people in their building in Nottingham and they were really helpful

Also you say your a single parent I'd contact www.gingerbread.org.uk

Who can hopefully help too

I hope you get things sorted x

Cookiecrumble22 · 10/04/2022 23:49

@AprilistheWorst

My contract says there will be charges if rent is left unpaid after 14 days, but nothing about how long they leave till they start to evict.

I have been here almost 2 years and only once have a paid late, by one day as I forgot.

Private rent through a letting agency, who at the last inspection commented on me being one of the better tenants so maybe they would be a little forgiving? I could realistically offer to pay half

You have to be in at least 2 months rent arrears before the landlord cant issue a section 8. ( start of eviction due to non payment of rent)

I think you will Need to contact your landlord. And pay as much as you can ? If your living from one pay day to the next how will you manage the rent plus extra on top to cover ths arrears?

Entitled to is a good benefit calculator to check your getting all you should be.

Danikm151 · 10/04/2022 23:49

Speak to your council about a discretionary housing payment. Explain the circumstances and they may be able to help.

TheGirlWhoLived · 10/04/2022 23:51

This reply has been deleted

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BlazingFlames · 10/04/2022 23:53

Contacr Citizens Advice, they'll help you through. Find the phone number here
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/
Good luck

AprilistheWorst · 10/04/2022 23:55

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Quotes a deleted post.

Cassimin · 10/04/2022 23:56

Contact your landlord asap.
I’m a landlord, my tenant is a lovely lady with a young child and I would hate to think that she would be stressing if she was in this position.
If you’ve always been on time with your rent I wouldn’t imagine it would be a problem.
Not all landlords are monsters, be upfront and honest, I hope it turns out well for you.

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