Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

My boyfriend can't pay his rent - what should I do?

26 replies

mandyg27 · 06/02/2020 15:30

My boyfriend has been off work ill for several weeks. He doesn't get any occupational sick pay and was only paid the minimum SSP for this time, so his last pay checks were much less than usual.

He has now been unable to pay his rent which was due at the end of last month and is being chased by the agents. I have agreed he can move to mine and my parents have offered to help empty his flat. However his tenancy doesn't end for another two months so from what I understand he is still liable for 2 more months rent even if he moves out. I'd appreciate any advice from someone who has been in this situation because I have no idea what to do next.

Please no nasty comments as this is already a very stressful situation Sad

OP posts:
LostInRainWater · 06/02/2020 16:53

Wow ok, you are all jumping the gun a bit.

The best thing todo is get some legal advice, Citizens Advice.
I might be wrong here but unless it's changed, you need to be in at least two months in arrears before they can start eviction. Yes they can send a crappy letter but that is worthless in a lot of ways.

If your boyfriend is in one month arrears at this point stop rushing to get him out, of course they are going to chase him for owed rent but it's tough shit to them. Do you know how much money and how long it takes to evict someone?

Let him stay there for now. Get some legal advice and try and sort it. Not run off at the first bloody bump. If he is going back to work then he can setup a payment plan to repay the arrears, while still living there.

The repayment has to be affordable so even if they push for it all up front, does not matter. They can't have what is not affordable.

sorryiasked · 06/02/2020 17:05

What's the prognosis? ie likely to be back at work next week, next month, six months?
And how serious is your relationship.
Can he get a lodger?
Does he have family who can loan him money?

Aquamarine1029 · 06/02/2020 17:10

Moving him in just because he can't pay his rent is a massive mistake. Don't make his problems your problems.

Bluntness100 · 06/02/2020 17:10

How long have you been with this man op and what is his illness? What's the prognosis and is it mental and physical illness?

LIZS · 06/02/2020 17:18

Could he be eligible for esa? Yes he is liable until end of tenancy term or a month's notice if rolling. Do you really want him to move in longer term, will he contribute to increased overheads ( ie. council tax at full amount) ?

LIZS · 06/02/2020 17:20

He couldn 't be evicted until he is more than 2 months behind and even then it is not immediate.

Babyroobs · 06/02/2020 22:27

He can claim universal credit whilst just on SSP, it will help with his rent. There is a five week wait for first payment but he may be able yo take an advance to help with rent after his first appointment.

Sargass0 · 07/02/2020 08:15

The 2 months in arrears is 🙀

Sargass0 · 07/02/2020 08:24

Sorry not sure what happened there. Yes he will liable for rent until he ends the tenancy correctly or by agreement with the landlord (mutual surrender) to end his tenancy he will need to know if its fixed term or a statutory or contractual periodic. Landlord does not need to wait until he is 2 mths arrears. That is only if they want to rely on a mandatory grd to evict. Late payment of rent and breach of tenancy can be used when serving notice. I see this advice about 2 mths arrears a lot and it is incorrect. If you want advice in how your bf can end tenancy and liability for rent then post again so I can ask specific Q's and give u advice.

LangClegsInSpace · 07/02/2020 08:27

He needs to claim UC as a matter of urgency and then negotiate with his landlord to pay off the arrears.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 07/02/2020 08:28

He needs to stay put, contact his landlord and explain the situation.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 07/02/2020 08:30

OP be very wary moving him in. Would you have moved in with him anyway? Are you happy to support him? Where is his family?

Notwiththeseknees · 07/02/2020 08:32

DO NOT MOVE HIM INTO YOUR PROPERTY! When the bailiffs come to your property for his rent arrears, you will have to show receipts or prove somehow that every item you own is yours. Your TV, your sofa. Send him to a Facebook group for help. But there is other food advice on this thread too.

Berthatydfil · 07/02/2020 08:32

Omg are you his mother?
You could be setting yourself up for a cocklodger - once he’s in how will he pay his way ? In fact why should he now you’re taking responsibility for him?
If you really want to help get him down the CAB, shelter, job centre etc to make sure he’s getting the advice he needs to understand his situation re his home and any benefits he can claim. Maybe consider a lodger ?

Notwiththeseknees · 07/02/2020 08:35
  • that should have read good advice. If he needs food advice, there are FB groups for that too.
BrokenWing · 07/02/2020 08:45

Take this as a big red flag that he needs a mother figure not an equal partner.

Offer him advice, agencies he can contact for support, any benefits he may be eligible for, maybe get in a little bit of shopping. Does he have family who can help him?

Don't move him in.

It is not your job to rescue him.

CornishMaid1 · 07/02/2020 08:55

It is really jumping the gun to move him in with you.

How long is he likely to be off sick? Is it a long term illness or could he be back at work in a matter of days/weeks?

Has he spoken to the agents? The first step should have been speaking to them and explaining the situation. You say he did get some pay just not as much as usual. Has he paid/suggested paying an amount towards the rent he missed so the Landlord at least received something? Most people are reasonable and he needs to explain to them what has happened and what steps he is going to take to remedy it and they are likely to give him some breathing room. Burying his head and running away to yours is not going to do that.

After that, see if he can get any form of UC or benefits depending on where he lives and how long he is likely to be off to supplement his income. If he qualifies he may be able to get an advance to help and clear the arrears he now has.

Hepsibar · 07/02/2020 09:20

Cant he move back with his parents or other relations? I think you should make this v clear this is a temp move to the end of the month otherwise you are lumbering yourself with someone who really is going to be a burden in every way.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 07/02/2020 09:22

His family should be helping, not yours. Would you have moved in together if it wasn’t for this? If not then do not!

Ughmaybenot · 07/02/2020 09:22

Don’t be so daft!!! Don’t move him into your house, what are you thinking?! He needs to sort this for himself, like a grown up.
Has he spoken to the agents? Has he spoken to the landlord? Has he suggested any sort of payment plan or solution? Has he looked into interim benefits? Has he done anything at all or is he expecting you to solve all his problems for him?

EngagedAgain · 07/02/2020 09:40

What about getting him to claim as much money as he can for starters, then help him if he needs it (in the short term only, and in cash just for food say). Then IF and only if, he's actually going to be evicted take him in. If it's a short term illness, and he's generally a worker and not a shirker, he will get this sorted. No need to take drastic action yet. Probably relevant, what sort of person is he ( do you think he's a potential cock lodger or user) and how long have you been with him?

Qual1tyQuantity · 07/02/2020 13:03

www.gov.uk and search how to apply for Universal credit he needs to apply on line asap, it's not back dated

Qual1tyQuantity · 07/02/2020 13:07

If he is still employed, he needs to continue with sick notes to his employer. I assume he is still employed

If he is feeling better, can he request a phased return to work ?

He should not resign, he needs to continue to be off sick or his employer can reach a point of no employment

How long has he been employed there ?

LisBethSalander07 · 07/02/2020 13:12

In the nicest way, this isn't your battle to fight.

He needs to be dealing with it, not you or his parents.

mencken · 07/02/2020 17:28

if this is England he's looking at months before eviction even if he pays nothing. But that will of course mean he won't be able to rent again except from a slumlord.

He needs to contact his landlord, explain the situation and his plan to get out of it - benefits, moving out, whatever.

your role: nothing except being supportive.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread