To come down like a tonne of bricks

[thisisasurvivor]

Hello all

So I rent a house out

Semi reliable tenants

Xmas rent late by ten days
All they could pay was half
So I said fine
Pay half no probs

Now - rent late
So they can only pay half this month

I have been very fair
Rent is 200 less than market value as I don't want to put any pressure on them

Say nothing and hope it won't happen again?

They have been there 3 years so only some issues since dec 22

Plus everyone is struggling financially now :(

Did you just write off the other half? Or are they/have they paid it back? I'm a bit confused.

It's v annoying when you're not paid on time or the right amount. What's your AIBU?

What's going on with them? Is someone out of work? Sick? Why can't they pay rent? Rent /mortgage is the first bill you pay, not the first one you refuse to pay.

If they are being flaky, look at whether it's a breach of the tenancy agreement.

Do you manage the property yourself or have you got an agent? Do you have landlords insurance for non payment of rent?

Well, you’re limited by what you can legally do. In the case of underpaying rent, there’s very little you can do, from memory. So YABU about coming down like a tonne of bricks. Maybe more come down like whatever the law around tenancies says you can do.

No they just didn't pay in full at Xmas as they were struggling so I left it and said full amount next month and no more favours

My aibu let them sort it out this month and pay later

Or really put my foot down and insist payment right away (solicitors letter?)

I don't know

I became an accidental landlady so I don't know what the best thing is to do

Exactly

So what I mean is do I enforce that each day the rent is late they pay a fee?

First time doing this so please go easy

Also trying to not be a greedy landlady

The rent covers the mortgage and no more

They have the house at a great rate already

It sounds like you need to make it clear that Christmas was a one off and they owe you the rest of the rent for this month.
Normally they should have a time limit to catch up on rent.

Set it out clearly in a letter.

Personally I wouldn't add late fees just yet, but remind them that you can.

Well your mistake was letting them off the half month. I say that as a tenant. I'm sure once I'd got away with half rent one month then it would cease to be as much of a priority bill as it is now.

"Hmm, I could do with £400 for something else, I'll just offer @thisisasurvivor half rent again..."

Accidental landlord or not, you need to get to grips with the legal process with a view to eventually get them out (may not come to that of course but follow that legal pathway).

Not unreasonable to expect tenants to pay their rent, in full and on time.

That's the minimum you should expect.

I'd be getting advice from the relevant agencies available to you as a landlord and stating plainly for your tenants to understand that they have had their get out of jail free card already and any further delays in rent and any further instances where they cannot pay the full due amount will result in you taking legal action and they can find somewhere else to rent.

They have had two strikes already - the next one will be your decision maker if you will.

What does the tenancy agreement say?
Go with that, you can't keep letting them do that, they'll take the mick. Theyve done it twice now as they have tested the water and got away with it.You need to be firm, if they have a genuine reason I'm sure they let you know and you can go from there.
Firmly but politely inform them to make up the difference within 5 days. They're CFs unless they have genuine reasons.

Ok thanks

Very clear

I'm no door mat

We are all struggling

So I wanted to be fair at least

What does the contract say about late payments? I think I would say to them that they need to agree a repayment plan for the arrears, which they need to stick to as well as paying rent on time each month going forwards. If they don't stick to that then you are able to start the eviction process.

Yes I did say 5 days to make it up

Gosh I cried and cried yesterday over this

Then worried it would be too harsh to get solicitor involved

Also if I sell the house

It would be a section 21 notice and three months for them to leave?

Apologies for all the questions

They've got you pegged as someone not cut out for this game OP. In your shoes I'd sell up.

They're taking the mick - can you easily re let if you give them notice? If not send them a firm warning they will be out if they don't pay on time (you'll have to bluff if you're not going to kick them out).

Yes I think so

So if I sell they need to get out when they have been allowed enough time to do so?

So true !!!!!!!

But I also know what it is like to be stuck and in need of help

Moved in march 2020

Great tenants until dec 22

So that's why I took it easy dec 22

Foolish me

@thisisasurvivor you need proper advice, not asking a few random questions on here.... There are legal obligations you must have complied with first in order for you to start an eviction.

If you don't know what you're doing, read up on the basics first, ask potshots questions afterwards.

https://www.gov.uk/private-renting-evictions

https://homelet.co.uk/landlord-insurance/tips/evicting-tenants

Scrounging? I think not. Where do you think rental properties for people who cannot or don't want to buy a house come from? The council hasn't got enough and they don't just fall from the sky. Without private lets and landlords like the OP many people would be without a home.

OP I'm not sure I agree with the advice here. As it happens, I am in exactly the same situation: accidental landlord with previously good tenants now unable to pay on time or in full I have concluded that there is no point applying eg late fees. They are already struggling to pay what they owe so what good would this do? I have also put myself in their shoes and I can only imagine how stressful this must be for them. It's their home and they have children. I don't believe they are being scroungers. I think they - like many - are struggling with the cost of living and doing their best.

My conclusion is that since I can (just about) afford to make it easier for them, I will. Your situation may vary and this might not be an option. But if you do go down the evicting them route, please don't buy into the idea they are scroungers. In all likelihood, they are struggling and stressed out. That doesn't mean you shouldn't evict if you can't afford for them to stay but it does argue for taking any measures in a kind and respectful way.

Good luck.

Why are you a landlord when you have no idea of the legalities involved.
In answer you your question re section 21. No they do not have to leave 3 months after you've issued one. They leave when either they end the tenancy or a court orders an eviction and appoints a bailiff to remove them. A landlord cannot end a tenancy. All you can do is request that the tenant leaves using a section 21.
Why don't you speak to your tenant and find out what the problem is?

What an awkward situation for you OP. Did they give a reason as to why they didn't pay in full ? Or have they just paid the half and kept quiet ?

I have had lots of money issues recently and can't help but take the softer approach purely based on my own circumstances. If I was in your shoes I would give them a ring , ask why the full amount wasn't paid and then come up with an arrangement that suits both parties (could they maybe spread the outstanding cost across a few months to make things easier?). I would put the agreement in writing though and be clear it shouldn't happen again as this is the second time in a short period of a few months.