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Original poster

Are there any landlords that could help me please?

65 replies

ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 14:44

We need to write a letter to our landlord to explain that we cannot pay the full rent this month. Is there anyone about who could offer some advice about this, where we stand legally and how we should phrase things?

OP posts:
Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 16:55

Yes we have one son. As far as I know the Tax Credit is accurat.

No Lou, I am saying we pay 1/6 and carry 5/6. DH is saying we pay 1/3 and carry 2/3.

DH is bipolar and hasn't had the most stable past few weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 16:56

No relative that could help.

OP posts:
purplehat · 01/01/2010 17:02

Have you contacted your landlord?
I think you should do that as soon as possible- after all they may themselves have now gone overdrawn and as a result,the mortgage on the property may not have been paid this month.

I think you need to pay the most that you can.
Hopefully that will be enough for them to be happy for you to stay at the property.

There is usually quite a bit of supply work at this time of year so fingers crossed you will get some work soon.

Jux · 01/01/2010 17:02

We are having problems with our tenant atm. The last two payments have been late and she hasn't spoken to us about it at all, despite seeing each other several times a week as we go in and out (she's in our basement), and having chats etc. This has made us less likely to be kind if she is in real difficulties, where we might have given her some leeway if she had been open about it.

If our tenant said she could only pay 1/6 of the rent otherwise she couldn't buy food, I'd ask her how she expects us to buy food, and then I would start whatever proceedings I could. As it is, at least we get the whole lot albeit a couple of weeks late. Sorry.

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:02

OK. The reason I ask about children is that if you have Tax Credits, they are usually based on last year's salary details. If your income this year is less, then they can do what is called a 'current year' calculation, so your Tax Credits would go up. We always have current year, because for the last couple of years DH's salary has been decreasing

It is tough. No option is going to be a great solution.

Do you have personal contact with your landlord? It might be better to talk in person, to try and find a workable solution, then follow up with a summary letter.

RubysReturn · 01/01/2010 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 17:07

Thanks Purplehat, I was thinking that supply work would be good for Jan and Feb.

DH was talking about writing a letter to Landlord and dropping it around this evening. I will see if DH will ring him, but it's unlikely that DH will.

I'm not really bothered about whether the landlord is unable to pay his golf course fees this month or not.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 17:09

Nothing to sell, except the car. And it's an old one that wouldn't be worth the amount of rent owed, and without it I couldn't work at all, so that's a no-no.

OP posts:
Ivykaty44 · 01/01/2010 17:11

Sorry it sounds like you both need help with money, could you go to someone for help sitting down and working out a budget plan?

Could someone on here set up an excel program for the whole year, then send this to your landlord as a plan of action, that you really are working hard to sort this out.

Not idea I know

RubysReturn · 01/01/2010 17:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

purplehat · 01/01/2010 17:13

'I'm not really bothered about whether the landlord is unable to pay his golf course fees this month or not.'

Chillo- that's not really the best attitude to have. Your Landlord is fully within their rights to demand the rent or commence proceedings against you. It is your responsibility to pay your rent and up to him how he spends his money.

I think the best thing you can do is to call and speak to him. I think that would be a better approach followed up with a letter outlining what you can pay and when.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 01/01/2010 17:14

chillo Hippi, talking about his golf fees isn't that helpful, there are loads of accidental landlords out there who literally use the rent we get to pay the mortgage we owe on the property. without the rent the mortgage isn't paid, the bank reposesses the house and you are homeless..

Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 17:15

I know, I know.

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ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 01/01/2010 17:16

the other thing is to be honest the fact that you have already been declared bankrupt and still not got round to being clear with your money is something that I would be worried about if I were your landlord. If your partner isn't well enough to deal with it and you leave it all in his hands then that is really not a good thing and you must get a handle on it or your family really could be up shit creek without a paddle.

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:16

ChilloHippi, we are trying to help you, so comments about a landlord affording his golf course fees are not helpful. Whatever he chooses to spend his money on, you had a contract to pay him for the use of the property.

I think if your DH won't talk to him, and I presume you are saying you won't either, that you need to write a short, factual letter.

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:18

Sorry, x-posts again.

Original poster
ChilloHippi · 01/01/2010 17:19

Right, short and factual. That's no problem. We will get the letter written tonight and delivered tonight.

GreySkull, you are right: it is worrying. I do need to get a grip on it. I need to really pin DH down and get him to talk to me about cash. I have in the past, but I've ended up getting very flustered and then avoided it. It has to change.

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thisparachuteisaknapsack · 01/01/2010 17:20

When does your dh get paid? Could he pay some now, the the arrears on pay day?

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:24

ChilloHippi, it is worrying and scary because you are out of control, and you fear what you might find.

Here is the moneysaving expert budget planner. Really simple. Just put in the figures for each box. You can do it bit at a time and have cups of tea/wine in between.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 01/01/2010 17:25

the things you need to know aren't loads.

but basics like
basic income (without your supply work)
supply income (after tax)

rent
electricity
gas
council tax
water
phone
tv/internet
car insurance
house insurance

just a basic amount, no need to go into analysing whether this is the best option financially or anything then the basic amount at the end of each of that that you have available.

extra income in the pot is brilliant but you need to know what your basic costs are so that you can see if you are going to be in a pickle with things.

I had a letter last year from my tennant, she had lost her job and couldn't pay the rent, she was actively seeking work and felt confident that she could pay from the following month. Clear consise, I knew where I stood, I managed to find the mortgage payment from my parents and we could work it out.

if you can see things coming up and be open about it your landlord won't like it but he will have time to prepare.

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:25

You need to take back the control - you can do it

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 01/01/2010 17:26

lou that budget planner is great!!

lou031205 · 01/01/2010 17:28

It is, Greyskull. What is fab about it is that you don't need to worry that some things are weekly, others 4-weekly & still others monthly. It works it all out.

Stephief · 01/01/2010 17:33

I think you need to have a really serious chat with your dh about money. If his probems are causing your financial difficulties (or at least not helping them) then maybe you need to take over the finances. My partner has bi polar too, and I wouldnt dream of letting him take control of our finances-all it takes is for mania to set in and we would be bankrupt!

Though you are avoiding talking to your landlord, chances are as soon as they get the letter they will be on the phone or on your doorstep to confront you about it anyway, probably better for your tenant/landlord relationship for you to get in there first! If he accepted you on housing benefit he may be a litte prepared for you facing some difficulties. When I rented and had HB issues (they cut my hb!) my landlord was quite happy for me to pay what I had accrued in smaller payments until I could move out (he didnt want me to move out, I just couldnt afford the rent!) and it all went fine. You need to get your LL to agree to what you can pay or you will lose the house, and chances are your council wont help you. Unfortunately, in most areas there is such high demand for social housing that the assessors will find any reason they can NOT to have to help you-if you dont pay your rent (even if you genuinely cant afford it) you will be seen as making yourself homeless and they will wash their hands of you. One less family to have to home in their eyes! I have been there!

Hope the rest of the year is better for than the start of it, I really do hope you get this sorted soon. Take care.

LadyintheRadiator · 01/01/2010 17:38

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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