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Original poster

DS not paid rent

45 replies

Skone · 18/07/2023 19:23

Just found out son is in arrears for 2 months rent. He is in last year in uni and been lying saying he has paid rent. Don't know what to do. He is in fragile mental state been seeing gp for anxiety. I don't know what to do. I can't pay all the arrears. He works part time and now I'm wondering what he's been doing with his money. Any advice? There are other issues but this one is the major worry.

OP posts:
Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:26

Two issues

  1. what has he spent the money on
  2. rent: either you or he need to engage with LL or MA and fast.
MNRando · 18/07/2023 19:27

Did you have to sign a contract as guarantor?

Dacadactyl · 18/07/2023 19:27

Get him to approach the uni for a hardship loan.

Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:28

How did you find out?

Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:28

Dacadactyl · 18/07/2023 19:27

Get him to approach the uni for a hardship loan.

Rather depends on what he’s spent his earnings on

Original poster
Skone · 18/07/2023 19:34

Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:28

How did you find out?

I got an email from the landlord. I'm guarantor. There are others in arrears too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Skone · 18/07/2023 19:35

Dacadactyl · 18/07/2023 19:27

Get him to approach the uni for a hardship loan.

He's finished uni. This was final year

OP posts:
Countrymiles · 18/07/2023 19:35

When you say last year do you mean he’s now finished (or will be shortly) or he has one more year and was intending to stay in same rented house? Does he rent with other people? Does the tenancy agreement make them severally or jointly liable? Are you a guarantor? Are there any guarantors?

Original poster
Skone · 18/07/2023 19:37

He has finished uni.

OP posts:
Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:38

Have you actually spoken with him OP?

titchy · 18/07/2023 19:39

If he's finished he can get a job surely? Even if it means coming home and you letting him stay rent free till he's got enough to pay either landlord or you if you end up paying.

Countrymiles · 18/07/2023 19:39

@Skone did he rent with other people? Are the tenants all jointly liable?

I ask this because if yes the issue might not be with the landlord but his former housemates who may end up having to pay the shortfall.

CombatBarbie · 18/07/2023 19:39

Skone · 18/07/2023 19:35

He's finished uni. This was final year

Show quote history

So as guarantor you are now liable. What were the T&Cs of the guarantor because LL won't hesitate to go the court route as they know they will win, especially with students. Was a deposit also put down, that could offset....?

Having bad MH doesn't stop you making choices..... I'd be furious if this was my child.

Blackbyrd · 18/07/2023 19:39

Is there a deposit that can be offset against thr arrears?

Original poster
Skone · 18/07/2023 19:41

Yes but not today. I'm worried about this mental state. He became upset when I asked him about the email saying he would sort it and didn't want to upset me. I said not saying anything is more upsetting to find out like this

OP posts:
GentlemanJay · 18/07/2023 19:42

Isn't that the whole point a landlord getting you to sign a guarantor form?

Hateitissues · 18/07/2023 19:43

As I say - real concern needs to be what the heck is going on with your son

as for the LL, you need to be honest. And explain MH concerns, and agreement a payment plan for the atrears

is he living there still? If so, what going to happen next month?!

1stepforward2stepsback · 18/07/2023 19:43

Get him to give notice to the landlord, and move back home with you. Encourage him to work and pay back the arrears to the landlord over the next few months.

Be supportive but clear and firm with your son. Be honest with the landlord about your plans. They’ll probably accept payment of the arrears over a few months as it’s quicker and cheaper than taking you to court.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 18/07/2023 19:46

“Having bad MH doesn't stop you making choices..... I'd be furious if this was my child.”
It kind of does @CombatBarbie

Get him home OP. Communicate with landlord. As guarantor you are now responsible for this. But maybe they might accept a payment plan. Also get a payment plan in plan for your son to pay you back. With any interest/fees incurred. But get him home. Get him safe. You can sort this.

INeedAnotherName · 18/07/2023 19:49

If he doesnt pay then you have to. As guarantor the landlord can get a court order to have your assets seized and you having bad credit in future. This is quite serious.

If you think he can't mentally cope with this atm then you need to deal with it. You don't have an option unless the landlord is very kind, but he could need the rent so he can pay a mortgage to stop the house being repossessed . In that case he can't be kind.

Does he live with others and have they paid all of their share?

Stratocumulus · 18/07/2023 19:49

If his LL pursues it & you don’t pay, he can take you to court.

From that you are likely to get a CCJ on your record which will wreck your ability to get credit and will generate all sorts of other financial obstructions in the future. Try to avoid this at all costs.

Try to work with the LL if you can, keep a reasonable and courteous dialogue open to pay off what’s owed.

Countrymiles · 18/07/2023 19:51

@Skone I see from other posts you say others are in arrears. Did you guarantee just your sons rent or are you liable for all the rent (very normal in student accommodation for guarantors to be liable for entire sum)?

Bromptotoo · 18/07/2023 20:35

How much money is involved?

If there was an Assured Shorthold Tenancy then presumably there was a deposit which the Landlord dealt with through a proper scheme.

Has the tenancy ended and has he left the place?

Original poster
Skone · 19/07/2023 00:06

Countrymiles · 18/07/2023 19:51

@Skone I see from other posts you say others are in arrears. Did you guarantee just your sons rent or are you liable for all the rent (very normal in student accommodation for guarantors to be liable for entire sum)?

I signed an agreement with this clause: In the event that more than one person constitutes the Guarantor under this agreement, the liability of the Guarantor shall be joint
My son and another have the largest arrears. I contacted the landlord's rep. They asked me to send a payment proposal plan

OP posts:
Original poster
Skone · 19/07/2023 00:08

Lots of other issues going on with uni which he was reluctant to tell me about. I'm worried about him and don't know what our next steps are 😞

OP posts: