Odd landlord question

[99redballoons123]

I'll try to keep this brief but I wasn't sure where to ask this rather odd question. I own a property for which I charge a nominal rent only for many reasons. One of my renters is struggling but she's never missed a payment and is lovely. I'd like to make her life easier and not charge any rent at all for say six months to a year. But would doing this invalidate our contract which is a long term one?

Hmmm. I only got half my rent during lockdowns, and one tenant has only paid the full amount from this past April. I don't think this has any affect whatsoever.
I also had a tenant (a handyman) who would occasionally work a few days and reduce his rent accordingly. But I declared it as income in that case (he paid cash and it just felt silly him handing my money and then me handing it back, but for tax reasons I counted it as if we did actually do that).
I think it's more risky for your tenant, as you could suddenly declare she wasn't paying rent and try to evict her.

Hmm, I think if you put it in writing I can't imagine there will be any issues. I paused rent for our tenants during first Covid lockdown (one of them had just left an old job and was due to start a new one, which was in a sector that got hit hardest, so fell through the cracks of all support) and I just emailed and said no rent for X months.

What a lovely thing to do btw.

Are you going through an EA or is it a private arrangement?

I'd say it's up to you or you could draw up a new contract with a very low rent maybe? I think it definitely needs something in writing.

btw, that's such a kind thing to do.

Thank you both, that's very helpful . So if I make sure to put it in writing and made sure a copy was filed by my solicitor and in the HMRC paperwork from what you've said it should be fine.
I had forgotten about the Covid break thing, but I guess quite a few landlords suspended the rent then if they could.

Do you have LL insurance? You need to check this won't affect it.

Also, aww.

Sorry cross posted there with you Whereshalllwander - thank you for your reply. It's a private arrangement and I generally manage things myself, though I do have a solicitor and financial guy who helps me with my taxes etc.
I will take on board what you say and make sure everything is in writing for her sake.

Why don't you charge her £1 per month?

Excellent point KievLover - I'll check the implications for that tomorrow thanks

IMustFoMoreExcercise - I could do that thanks. I just thought that the paperwork for such a tiny amount might make it seem silly but that's certainly an option I could explore. Thanks.

You could do £1 a month if demanded thats quite common on leases with a Peppercorn rent. Then just don't demand it.

Btw if you type '@'. then all the people who have contributed to the thread should come up so you can tag them and you don't have to manually write out their names.