I got a message from my tenant who only moved in on 1st February 2026, yesterday saying ‘Hi XXX, Just wanted to ask the date the rent payments is set, could this be changed to 15th March and every month that way as that is when I get paid. This month, I need to catch up with a few things and this will allow me to manage bills etc more adequately’
My issue is not the request per se, its the fact that it is barely 2 weeks since moving in, at no point during the pre-contract did she specify that the payment date could possibly be a problem for her. Please how do I proceed with her on this?? As I will be technically 2 weeks behind (arrears) if i agreed to this?
They may not have thought about or decided to ask only after contracts signed which is decidedly a bit off. People do sometimes eg forget about moving costs and have extra cashflow issues in month 1 till deposit from previous place is returned.
Although you could informally allow them to pay later, that would only be reasonable if they had built up a history of paying on time and a good working relationship with you. So soon you cant and shouldnt just ignore the 15 days or give them 15 days credit. Explain they should have discussed with you before signing. You arent the ‘bank of tenant’ there to help their cash flow and you also have bills to pay like a mortgage which unfortunately cant be easily moved whenever you feel like it. Otherwise what happens next time when they claim they were paid late or are a bit low and cant pay till the 20th. Etc
Then organise an early inspection visit with the tenant. To see how things are going, before end of February and talk about this. Say that you will look into what is possible re rent payments so that you can discuss face to face but it is unlikely to be in time for march’s payment which they should assume remains due on 1 march. At the same time in the meeting make clear and agree things like frequency of inspections, access for trademen and yourself when needed for maintenance, and need for good open honest communication. Because if any of those things are going to be a problem she will need to find somewhere else. Its not just her home but also your valuable property and your source of income.
Meanwhile check with OR support or @mod_harry but suppose the contract date is changed I think the only sensible way to move the date back from 1st to 15st would be paying 1 1/2 months rent on 1st march (to cover 1st march to 14 april) then normal monthly amount on 15 april and 15th thereafter. Whichever month it is done, by pushing the date back they have a longer initial period to cover first. They are unlikely to want to find an extra 1/2 month’s rent upfront.
More extreme would be if you think they are going to struggle to pay after an initial face to face and reviewing their affordability again, consider serving a valid s21 at start of march or maybe april when youll have more evidence. Because not in your or tenant interest for them to get into arrears.
I usually allow this as it makes little difference in practice unless your own finances are really tight. Best to do it informally though as you dont really want the tenancy period and the payment date to go out of sync. You also dont want to mess up any potential future notices for rent increases or arrears. I usually agree to accept late payment verbally.
@David122 and you’d agree to late payment by 2 weeks only 2 weeks into a tenancy? Seems very trusting & generous of you
@Jane43
Maybe check the tenant’s past statements for latest 6 months (assuming you obtained these pre tenancy as part of checking affordability) to verify 15th is indeed when they get paid, before agreeing anything?
Research shows that a large percentage of tenants have little or no savings and have to be careful about the date of large payments each month to maintain their cash flow. I think that at this stage you have to trust that the tenant is being honest and acting responsibly. They have possession of the property and you have very little choice at this point anyway. It makes no difference to me if they pay 2 weeks after the due date and refusing is likely to lead to more problems, so yes, if Ive accepted a tenant who I have confidence in but whose affordability checks show that he doesnt have much spare cash, then I would give the the benefit of the doubt and accept late payment.
Seeing as the tenant only moved in recently, the LL should be very aware of their tenant’s finances from bank statements they saw as part of the application process. When I check applicant’s bank statements, I look for large regular payments both going out and coming in and the dates as well as how close to zero they come each month. That way, I can have a conversation with a good applicant about what date the rental period would ideally be on prior to them checking in.
I’ve always had the conversation about payment dates with tenants in the past, and where helpful to them have changed it from the outset in the contract, which is easy on Openrent.
However, going forward I won’t have this flexibility under RRA for say ‘40 days in advance’, then monthly payments, so will simply be looking to see if tenants have the cashflow. if not, they will have to be rejected.
This will be less flexibility for tenants, but is what the Government want.
Theres a difference between a rent due date and rent payable.
I always allow this because it makes no difference to me and it helps making sure rent is paid. Its only at the end of the tenancy when everything can be settled up. The reason its not mentioned before is because when you want something you don’t put obstacles in the way.
I had a tenant who changed jobs, Her wages were then on a different date so on the next month she paid the months rent AND the few days difference, Simples.
RRA restricts payments in advance and doesnt affect payments in arrears at all, which tenant is requesting here (and could be contractual or a less formal arrangement)
Under RRA you can still require 1st month in advance in the period between signing contracts and the move in date/start of the tenancy, what wont be possible to put in contracts is large advance payments over 1 month or payment of each months rent before the monthly rental period.
Its all still possible voluntarily but LL /agents cant encourage it
" Key rules regarding voluntary payments:
Voluntary Basis Only: Tenants can choose to pay rent in advance for convenience or budgeting, but this must be entirely their own choice, not a condition of the tenancy.
Prohibited Before Signing: Landlords cannot accept any rent payments, even voluntarily, before the tenancy agreement is formally entered into.
Invalid Clauses: Any clause in a contract requiring more than one month’s rent in advance is void and unenforceable.
Existing Tenancies: The new restrictions on advance payments do not apply to tenancies signed before 1 May 2026"
“While landlords cannot ask for large upfront sums, tenants may still offer to pay more to assist with budgeting or to secure a property if they choose”