by Denzel
9:42 AM, 24th September 2024, About 2 months ago 5
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This story started with a £6,000 rent arrears crisis and ended with a win-win solution for everyone involved.
Late in the day, I received a call from Barry, a landlord who had recently contacted me through Property118. He had submitted an online enquiry about an issue with his tenants, and I had reached out earlier. Now, he was returning my call.
I answered, sensing the urgency in his voice before he even spoke. “Denzel, thanks for getting back to me. I’m in a real bind, and I don’t know where else to turn.”
“Glad you called, Barry,” I said, sitting up a bit straighter in my chair. “I read your message and wanted to help. What’s going on?”
He sighed heavily before explaining. “My tenants, Bob and Mary, are behind on their rent—by over £6,000. Bob lost his job during COVID, and things have just spiraled out of control since then. Now, with my mortgage rates going up, I’m really feeling the pressure. I don’t want to evict them, especially with kids involved, but I can’t keep covering for them either.”
As he spoke, I could hear the stress in his voice. Barry wasn’t just worried about his finances—he was genuinely concerned about what would happen to Bob and Mary if they were forced out. I knew this situation well; it was exactly the kind of challenge my company was built to address.
“I understand your situation, Barry,” I replied, hoping to offer some reassurance. “But I want you to know, eviction isn’t your only option, and you don’t have to go through this alone. My team and I specialise in helping landlords and tenants navigate tough situations like this, and the best part? Our services won’t cost you or your tenants a penny.”
There was a pause as Barry absorbed what I’d said. “That sounds like exactly what I need. How can you help?”
“Here’s the plan,” I began, laying out the steps we’d take to resolve the situation together.
Barry listened closely as I explained the plan. “First,” I began, “we’ll work with the local council to secure a Homeless Prevention Solution. This program is designed to help tenants like Bob and Mary who have fallen behind due to unexpected circumstances. It can cover a significant portion of the arrears, which will give you some immediate relief.”
I could hear the tension in Barry’s voice start to ease. “That sounds like it could really help,” he said, a note of hope creeping in.
“It will,” I assured him. “But we’re not stopping there. We’ll also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This additional support can cover the remaining arrears. Between these two strategies, there’s a good chance we can clear the entire £6,000 debt.”
Barry was quiet for a moment, processing everything. “Denzel, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. But what about the future? How do I know they won’t fall behind again?”
“It’s a valid concern,” I replied. “Once we’ve cleared the arrears, my team will continue to work with Bob and Mary. We’ll help them budget effectively and ensure they’re set up to manage their rent moving forward. With Bob back at work and some careful planning, they should be able to stay on track. And of course, we’ll be here to support both of you if anything changes.”
In the weeks that followed, my team went to work. We connected with the local council, and soon the Homeless Prevention Solution was in place, covering a large chunk of the arrears. The Discretionary Housing Payment took care of the rest. Bob and Mary were relieved beyond words—they could stay in their home, and the weight of their financial burden was lifted.
As for Barry, the relief in his voice was unmistakable when I called to check in. “Denzel, I can’t tell you how much this has helped. You and your team have made a world of difference, not just for Bob and Mary, but for me too. I was really at a loss, and now everything’s been turned around.”
I smiled as I hung up the phone, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. This was why I had started my business—to step in when landlords and tenants needed it most, offering solutions that eased their burdens without adding to their costs.
Barry and I hadn’t known each other before that first call, but now we’d worked together to turn a difficult situation into a positive outcome. It wasn’t about being a hero; it was about using our knowledge and resources to create a win-win scenario for everyone involved. As I wrapped up the day, I felt proud of what we’d accomplished—and ready to help the next person in need
As I say and will continue to say, Eviction is not the only option! – If you are a landlord or letting agent in this particular situation, please do not hesitate to reach out. Simply fill in your details in the form below for a non-obligatory call.
My name’s Denzel, the CEO of Social Housing Options. Remember, There are many options available to you… Even if your situation does look bleak!
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Markella Mikkelsen
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Sign Up9:49 AM, 24th September 2024, About 2 months ago
So you are saying that if the tenants pay their rent arrears they can stay in the property.
No offense, Denzel, but this is not exactly rocket science for a landlord.
Jo Westlake
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Sign Up10:49 AM, 24th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 24/09/2024 - 09:49
It's often a question of knowing how to access the help that's available. Since UC was introduced it's been incredibly hard for landlords to communicate with anyone at DWP and Councils aren't always easy to deal with due to data protection.
Benefits are sometimes stopped for very minor errors, etc. Whoever set up the online journal reporting system didn't necessarily take into account language or literacy issues. Or the lack of training received by some Job Centre or Council staff during the transition period.
Some tenants have a very peculiar sense of pride. Accruing rents arrears is fine but asking the Council for help isn't. They see it as some kind of sponging. I've got one in that situation at the moment. The Council have repeatedly said if he applies for a DHP they will clear the arrears (which only occurred because he delayed claiming UC until he had spent every penny after he became too ill to work). He has both physical and mental health issues, so I'm not pushing too hard. The arrears haven't got any worse and he is now talking about paying them off in instalments. Something like Denzel offers would have been fantastic a year ago and would have given the tenant great peace of mind. Right now would be the wrong time to intervene as he has offered to somehow pay the arrears himself and it would undermine him if anyone intervened now. Male pride is very frustrating at times.
Bill irvine
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Sign Up11:46 AM, 24th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 24/09/2024 - 10:49
Hi Jo
As Markella suggests, Denzel's approach of contacting Housing Options and Housing Benefit to secure a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is not unusual, many of my clients do that automatically.
But the truth is, applying and securing payments are two different things nowadays. Many Housing Options teams no longer have the budget to make £3/4K payments to clear off arrears for tenants in debt and being threatened with eviction and Homelessness. Where they do, it's where the applicants are deemed to be vulnerable and there's no other means to protect them.
Similarly, DHP budgets, particularly in England & Wales are not too healthy. To secure payment, you need to convince the Council that your client merits more consideration than the 95% of others that are seeking assistance. You do that by pointing out the exceptional circumstances that apply to your client.
The more detail provided, especially where this is validated by a 3rd party (Support Worker, GP, Social Worker) the greater the chance of receiving payment. But even where you qualify there's little chance of this being paid continuously. Some Councils, due to the pressures on the budget, limit payment to 3 or 6 months, effectively buying time for the tenant to secure other accommodation.
If your tenant needs help, I recommend they visit welfare rights and benefits advice groups, or law centres, in their locality, where the advice & support is often free. They also fully examine the person's entitlement to ensure that's maximised, allowing them to meet their obligations.
Supporting tenants through the early stages of making their claim for UC is important as 20% of all claims are refused, in many cases due to DWP acting prematurely by closing down claims. I've written here and other blogs about DWP's "Enhanced Review Team" and the chaos it is causing through benefit suspensions, and cancellations. Again, these issues can be addressed by the organisations mentioned above, free of charge.
Jo Westlake
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Sign Up13:15 PM, 24th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bill irvine at 24/09/2024 - 11:46
That's not what Markella said. All she said was that if tenants paid their arrears they could stay.
You are highly experienced in dealing with your clients benefit claims problems. I can't remember exactly what your current job title is but I have read a lot of things you have posted and seen on a Google search you are an ex Government advisor on Housing Benefit and a consultant on Universal Credit for the NRLA.
I'm a bog standard landlord dealing with a range of tenants. Anything from young international students with language limitations and homesickness, couples facing relationship problems or miscarriage, people with health problems suddenly encountering UC for the first time, right through to the excitement of tenants buying their own home, getting married or getting their dream job. It's a little bit of everything.
It's great that people like you and Denzel exist and are helping people retain their homes. My frustration is that a great many tenants won't ask for help or don't know where to turn to. The ones I house via a Council Housing Options schemes have a good level of support with budgeting and someone ensures they are receiving every benefit they are entitled to. It's the ones who suddenly experience financial difficulties mid tenancy who are often left floundering.
JaSam
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Sign Up9:00 AM, 25th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Another great example, keep them coming Denzel!! @Shelter this is how homeless prevention works not telling the tenants to stay put and wait for something to happen at the landlord and taxpayers expense.
This is all about opening the dialogue doors; yes you could try and do it yourself but why when clearly Denzel’s business specialise taking a well deserved cut and still saving taxpers money, a tenant’s living hood and a landlords conscious.
I’m 100% on board with this approach as long as there is a long term solution of this cycle not repeating; everyone deserves a break to recompose.