Rent always a week late

[onlyinshakespeare]

The tenant in a house I own but let out always pays her rent late.

In fairness she does always pay it but I think I should be a little firmer about it being on time.

Should I have a word with the estate agent who I let it through or directly?

I changed the date of payment to fit in with tenants pay day as it was always late. Probably worth having a word.

Well, I tried that but it was still late!

Is there a genuine reason why it's late? Wages /housing benefit payment? I know it should be paid on time but I bet if you acknowledge you are accepting of the new date the tenant will be very grateful (and you will feel all warm inside for making someone's life a little less stressful!) As a tenant myself it brings a sick feeling to my stomach if I know my rent was going to be late. It isn't these days but in days gone by it happened. .

Might be worth asking the EA to speak to the tenant to find out why it's late. Just a fact finding exercise, no pressure etc at this stage.

I think it needs to be highlighted that you realise it's being paid late, otherwise the tenant could become even more complacent.

Oh, honestly I'd be happy with any date as long as I know, but that hasn't worked.

So if you say to her the 15th it goes in on the 17th; rhe 22nd and it will go in on the 24th and so on.

So I do appreciate it's always paid but it does make life difficult for me!

Is she mistaking the day she pays it in for the date you receive it?

I don't think so ... I think she waits until she's had a reminder from the company and then pays it. As if otherwise we might forget?

I once had a LL who insisted on seeing the proof of a direct debit set up before keys could be handed over. Any chance you could ask her to do a DD mandate?

It sounds as if she hadn't understood how a standing order works actually. I used to work in letting sand initially new tenants were always surprised that the standing orders we set up were a few days before the rent was due. God knows how in this day and age, but standing orders still seem to take a few days to get from one place to another. I thought you meant weeks late, a few days late would seem to indicate that it's a banking misunderstanding on the tenants part.