Petition calls to freeze rents, S21 and S8 for Covid-19 outbreak

There is a big assumption here that all Tenants who self isolate will lose Income. Some will some will not.
In addition a mortgage holiday still means it has to be paid. It is just delayed.

I think the government has 2 ways of tackling this, pay residents a stipend towards rent, probably 80% of rent with that % decreasing if the crisis is elongated.
Or sort it on the 'backend' and set up a land lord compensation scheme for redress post-crisis. Either wy it's hard to see how the economy can drop 5%+ without jobs and rents being affected.
I think parents will be in bind, do they pay their childs nursery that is providing a service and will be required once the crisis eases, or do I pay my landlord that is most likely a company that isn't willing to take a haircut in a time of crisis.
I think landlords will need to thread carefully, there is very little respect for landlords as it is, both corporate and resi, if they aren't extremely flexible and willing to take a hit they will very quickly become a pariah, and tenants will enforce flexibility.

So are we to assume that Muppet Murphy has an interest or influence in Acorn? - following on from his rantings of last week one might correctly assume so.
OK fair enough let's go with this idea. Will Sir Richard Branson as one of the UKs richest men worth in excess of £4Bil pay his workers for their voluntary time off? In deed will any company, big or small be paying their staff several weeks to stay away and "self isolate"?

Are holiday companies, car rentals, airlines or ferry companies etc refunding travelers for the cost of cancelled trips. Hotels?

No! I didn't think so.

Reply to the comment left by at 17/03/2020 - 10:11
If your landlord is " most likely a company" - they might well have insurance for such like. Where as I, like I d guess most small time landlords with 2,3 or 4 properties have no such cover. And as in my case the rent is my sole income.

"...any period of time spent in self isolation or ill with Coronavirus will be disregarded in section 8 hearings and not counted in the ‘over 2 months of arrears’ threshold..."

I could go with that, sounds reasonable. But not a blanket freeze on s21 and s8 allowing anti social tenants and persistent non payers using covid-19 as a get out. No way.

"...the security and safety of renters cannot be left to each individual landlord’s good will..."
Likewise, I say the security and safety of landlord ability to carry on their business and continue to provide a home for their tenants cannot be left to each individual tenant’s good will. It cuts both ways, landlords need protecting too.

The ironic thing is that tenants that are receiving housing benefits are the least likely to be unable to pay rent as their benefits will not stop. Whereas those working hard to make ends meet may lose all income if they are layed off.
My tenants are good as gold. They look after the property and have never missed a payment so i'd gladly give them a rent holiday but I bet my gready estate agent who does the management of my properties will still want paying every month.

Reply to the comment left by Porky at 17/03/2020 - 10:51
Fair play, that's reasonable and generous of you "Porky" - no one can argue with a reciprocated "holiday" in rental payments, if as has been suggested, the mortgages Companies do too.
But regards your LA they can only deduct their fees from what is collected, right? No rent no fees, they ll have to take a "holiday" also.

Guess many of the smaller ones will start to feel the pinch, as soon their viewings will drop right off. This is a concern of mine as I have a tenant who isnt renewing his contract, but refuses any viewings.

Reply to the comment left by BB at 17/03/2020 - 11:01
You would thing my LA would also not expect fee payments but recently one of my tenants, a single working mum with a young child reported she had received and had paid two exceptionally high water bills in the last two 1/2 years. On investigation I found the toilet cystern was constantly overflowing into the bowl. I would have though she may have realised a problem but typical younger generation she didn't even notice it. Out of generosity and fairness I worked out her previous average bills and gave her a £400 refund to fully compensate for the water loss. For that one month her rent payment was reduced by £400 but the L.A. still took their standard 10% plus VAT of the normal monthly rent so they did not reciprocate with a reduction even though they do regular property inspections and should have spotted the fault.

Reply to the comment left by Porky at 17/03/2020 - 11:29
Not really applicable, it's an off topic matter. However, the agent could nt or doubtful if they would have noticed this. You are too fair and too generous.....why pay fir others mistakes? - how will they learn?

Reply to the comment left by BB at 17/03/2020 - 12:01
Yes you are correct I may be over generous but she is so honest and keeps everything immaculate. I'd hate to lose such a good tenant.
I met her in the street at the weekend (at a distance). I said to her if she has difficulty paying the rent due to loss of earnings because of Coronavirus I would be understanding and would waive payments however she insisted she should be okay and has some money put by that should see her through. How many people would admit that and maybe she wouldn't had I not sorted her water payments out a few months ago.