How to help long-time tenant that can’t afford rent?

How to help long-time tenant that can’t afford rent?

0:01 AM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago 22

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So imagine this scenario you have a tenant that’s been with you for five years. Always paid rent on time, no problems, keeps the place well – the ideal tenant. BUT NOW the tenant’s maintenance payments for their child will end and they will no longer be able to afford the rent.

The rent is already well under market value, and the (now) adult child can’t work because of a health issue – possibly to the extent that the property isn’t suitable for them anymore. The tenant has asked for an S21 to go to the council, but this forces us into a desperate position.

While waiting for s21 to go through, the tenant will be forced to go into arrears, with no guarantee of council housing plus the court costs from eviction. Would like to help but stuck between a rock and a hard place.

What would you do in this situation?

Thanks,

Raz


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Graham Bowcock

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9:47 AM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 08/06/2023 - 08:32
Good advice.

Whilst some tenants are better than others, I have seen the downwards spiral and have always kept at arms length.

Make sure you act as a prudent landlord (not a friend or carer) and deal professionally with the property/tenancy, not with the tenant's issues.

Annabel Blake

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10:04 AM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 08/06/2023 - 08:32
I agree, we have tenants who have been with us for 15 years and more (including one who is considered as 'vulnerable' for whom we have specially purchased a ground floor flat!). It is very hard not to get involved with tenants, especially when they are pleasant and trying hard to get through life like the rest of us, but I have come to realise that it is essential to keep them at 'arm's length' as much as possible. We incorporated a few years ago and I find this makes it easier as we now sound more business-like with a limited company name.

Raz

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12:43 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by LordOf TheManor at 08/06/2023 - 07:55
Child has scoliosis and gone through several corrective surgeries but condition is progressive. I believe child is claiming disability benefit, but is currently staying at father's house as it's a bungalow. Father is also guarantor against his ex-wife's property.
Have pointed tenant towards entitledto website and citizen's advice for further advice, and advised her that s21 wont get her a council property, just put her/ex-husband in debt for the court costs.

Just wondered if anyone had found/could think of a solution that would work for everyone?

Tenant doesn't want to go into arrears, and is willing to leave but nothing affordable around. Eviction system is a traumatic pain in the arse for both LL and tenant.

Freda Blogs

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13:12 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Its decent that the tenant acknowledges the situation and doesn't want to go into arrears. Best if you can come to an amicable arrangement between you without her getting the message from the Council, Shelter etc that she can stay on ad infinitum without penalty. Maybe give tenant a couple of months' rent to help out with a new place and save everyone the pain and cost of eviction?

Alternatively does she know anyone that could become her lodger (that you would reference)?

GlanACC

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13:47 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 08/06/2023 - 13:12
I think you are asking for trouble here. As for a lodger thats just adding one more potential trouble to your back. If Social Services, Citizens Advice can't help her then you have no chance of helping her. You have done all you can, don't get involved any further. Why isn't the father helping to sort things out ?

Elsie Power

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20:45 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 08/06/2023 - 07:54
If you serve S8 then the council might decide your tenant is homeless through their own fault, and it may be even harder for them to leave. Could you signpost your tenant to benefits advice in case they can get her additional carers income etc?

Rerktyne

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21:23 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Can you not ask her to go to social services? If the govt is not introduced why should you be?
If you are treated by the govt as a charity then perhaps you can be taxed like one: 0%!!

Rerktyne

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21:25 PM, 8th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Rerktyne at 08/06/2023 - 21:23
….if the govt us not INTERESTED then why…..

GlanACC

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8:44 AM, 9th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Elsie Power at 08/06/2023 - 20:45Realisticly, the tenant isnt going to move if she hasn't got somewhere to go to. So serving a S21 or S8 will make no difference (an accelerated S21 will be a waste of money as because of the health problems the judge will likely refuse it, an S8 is a mandatory eviction so this is probably the best option if she has arrears) . The council will tell her to sit tight until the bailiff levers the front door off, and if you think otherwise you are living in fairy land. Many of us experienced landlords will have been through this route before 'I want an S21 so the council will give me a nice house', this cuts NO ice with the council. In my own area there are 4000+ on the waiting list and most of them will be dead before they get offered a house.

Elsie Power

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9:24 AM, 9th June 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 09/06/2023 - 08:44
I agree with you that the council won't be helpful. Knowing that a S8 is likely to make his tenants street homeless though, I thought the OP sounded sympathetic so I was suggesting other paths than eviction.

I like to think we are reasonable people here and providing a service, not evicting for the sake of it when there's other options.

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