When Banks look at their mortgage customers who are late one or two months with payment, or who get into serious arrears, they have a proper, professional and respectful approach. They don’t refer to their clients and customers as ‘dicks’, say ‘get rid’ or use language to refer to people as inferior beings.
Many people on this thread have used language and tone to indicate no respect for tenants - the people who are the LLs tenants and clients.
This thread hasn’t purely been about the legalities of what the rights of LLs and tenants are, but also evidence of ingrained atttiudes which go well beyond the law. Again, there is evidence of the view that only property owners deserve respect, flexibility and a proper programme of response to short term arrears, or even in times which can amount to years of full payment. There is a tone which suggests that even if tenants have paid in full for many months or even many many years, they cannot expect any consideration from the LL, beyond entirely what suits them and their timing.
In the end, tenants know that their home (and it is their home whilst they live in it under contract) isn’t in their ownership and a LL might one day sell. They know they have legal rights (although some LLs begrudge these or try to undermine them) and also that the property is owned by the LL and they can serve legal notice and the tenancy won’t be forever.
Why though, are some posters unable to see that LLs can have those rights, but can still treat their tenants, especially long term ones and ones with families with kids in schools, with some consideration? The kind of things I mean (and this isn’t about those who have trashed places or persistently not paid rent for months on end);
- have a conversation and discussion about an intention to sell, possible timescales and any flexibility there might be
- recognise that a one-off late payment from a tenant who has paid on time for months or years, isn’t a serious concern warranting eviction …but again a conversation might be useful if it happens a couple of times
- have a conversation about any difficult maintenance issues such as broken boiler in depth if winter
Much of good LLing is about communication. Like it or not, LLs have a business that involves people and their most essential need. Recognising that agents might well not communicate effectively or quickly or be efficient in all kinds of areas is really important and knowing that by paying the agent a fee, you don’t absolve yourself of the tenant having a shitty experience.
Accept that as part of being a LL there might sometimes be tricky messages or conversations to be had - about rent, maintenance, renewal or end of contracts. Be prepared to consider how it might feel from the other end and show some empathy and respect. That doesn’t mean being a pushover or putting up with long term non payment, or never ever being able to sell. It just means knowing you do need to think and plan ahead and not spring things on people and respectful communication is a vital ingredient of being a successful LL.
The trouble is when tenants become nameless widgets in people’s minds, rather than individuals and families who all need the basic essential of accommodation. It does not reflect on people well when they are rude, disrespectful and unprofessional in their comments or dealings with people.
The people I know who are the most successful LLs in terms of long term portfolios, are shrewd business people, but vitally, are people-people too. They are able to talk with tenants about maintenance, non-payment, legal compliance, contracts, giving notice, grievances etc etc. They can do all that whilst also knowing the tenants child is at a local school, or someone has lost their job. They still deliver difficult news about tenancies not being renewed or properties being sold sometimes, but they’ve always thought it through well in advance and factored the tenant into their decision making, so just make it a bit smoother. Doing that doesn’t feel like being a doormat to them, but a vital part of their success.
The OP here isn’t a professional. Tenants often have a rough deal under the so-called accidental LL, who hasn’t actually got the funds to run their business and weather some inevitable financial storms, the full awareness of legal responsibilities, or the skills and willingness needed to communicate effectively with their clients.
She wants to sell to release the cash to buy a family property. That’s at the heart of the issue, not a late payment after many months of full payment on time, or a reduced payment after an ongoing issue over boiler repair. In the end, there doesn’t have to be an ‘excuse’ to sell and it can be done legally and decently by giving someone more than the very party minimum notice they are entitled by law to. It can be done with consideration of their personal situation and some flexibility can normally be shown……although some LLs can’t give that as they have got themselves into a financial mess, or haven’t planned ahead to allow enough time to give really decent notice, because they haven’t thought ahead or seen the need to factor in what’s going on in their own lives soon enough. Especially when a LL says they need the cash from the property within 6 months, I think if it as poor business planning - property and LLing works on longer timescales than this. It can’t be subject to events which around up and happen sooner. That’s just not professional or fair on tenants.