This is shameful. You have no idea what people’s circumstances are. I became seriously ill & could no longer live in my flat because it’s on the top floor without a lift. I had no choice. I’ve always been a low waged earner and the only way I could get on property ladder was to be referred by the council as in priority need of housing being a single parent with health issues and a key worker with strong ties to the local borough/community. It’s a shared ownership. I have a mortgage, pay rent on the half I do not own, pay fir service charges which are high, pay for al the repairs, insurance’s, boiler checks etc, I’ve always been fair with my tenants. My tenants total income is currently 45k a year (Albeit one person still employed) and have at least 15k in savings for 1 tenant (I’m sure the woman who earns 45K a year also has some savings somewhere too) & a guarantor for another tenant who was unemployed at the time of signing the tenancy and they want me to just give them 35% free? If I did that, I would have to claim benefits. I’m happy to give them a proportional rent holiday Except the fact that I may never see that money again.
dont do it eventually you will be able to evict
With all due respect, Alexandra, your comment highlights the ignorance underlying much of the anti-landlord narrative we see today. This is a business. We can be fair and reasonable, and charitable to a point, but only to the extent we can afford to. Without having any understanding of the individual landlords’ circumstances it is impossible to say one way or the other how non-payment of rent would impact them and to only consider your side of the equation is no less selfish than a landlord looking after their own interests. If we are in this together, then you need to see both sides of the situation. Though there is some irony in that, for all the derision of landlords, we are now being looked to for understanding and help. To be honest, perhaps if the Government had been more willing to appreciate and support the majority of decent landlords, then maybe we could afford to be a bit more charitable. As it is, they’ve squeezed the pips - on your behalf, I might add and any good will from landlords is in short supply.
Martin 12. well said Martin … but she has not replied for a while ,maybe she works for the S S helter or is ill or is in the process of becoming a counselor in these troubled times. We must patiently wait for her thoughtful reply
Colin3, I don’t imagine for an instant I’d change their mind. It’s just cathartic to let of a bit of steam, though doubtless I’m shouting into the void because we (landlords) are all a bunch of shysters and no one is listening - apart from other shysters, of course.
I will I think, thank you a Colin for your good advise as always !
A letter from their employer.
If someone wants to pay less for a service or product due to their circumstances and they want you to subsidise them then evidence or proof would be needed.
My tenants refused the substantial rent holiday I offered but Still wanted a rent reduction. I asked for evidence such as all bank account statements for last 3 months. I also said I would want an agreement they would give 2 months notice if they decided to leave during COVID. I have to give 2 months notice and of course evictions must give 3. They were not happy & refused all my help. The rent holiday I offered which was over £600 a month, did not require more than one months notice but I wanted it arranged So that I would get paid back through UC. They declined everything & not very happy about it. They have paid rent in full. To remind you. One tenant of 3 is still earning over 45k a year! And the other 2 in receipt of benefits covering full rent & at least one of those can claim 80% for self employed lost income. I’ve found this whole ordeal extremely upsetting as they were clearly trying it on even when I explained my health issues and that this was my sole income. They are very privileged tenants from very privileged backgrounds. Had they been in real need, I would have still required evidence of being in need. But I would have helped as much as possible if they really needed it. These tenants were not in real need & there was a guarantor anyway!! What did they think a guarantor was for?!! You know, when I was 32, I lost my job & I was a single parent. I didn’t go to the landlord for help. It took me a year to get another job. How is that any different from the covid situation except that people in covid can get 80.% of their income. I know this does not apply to everyone & people are suffering but in many cases they are far better off than I was. And my tenants had no dependents. At one point I (And my 9 year old daughter at the time) had to live in a crappy one bed bedsit as the landlord chucked everyone out of his flats in order to raise rents. This is clearly an unscrupulous landlord! Life is hard sometimes.
I am sorry you have had a crappy time with these obvious chancers
Yes I’m in a torrid situation too with a dreadful tenant and now want to sell everything I own. Life’s too short.
So in your opinion its ok to ride rough shod over the landlords because after all they don’t need an income but the tenants do? Beggars belief. In fact most of us have worked with our tenants to mutual satisfaction and are decent reasonable people. Why would we want to lose a good reliable tenant. Just like their job is their income and if furloughed they get 80% of their pay. They can also claim housing benefit if they lose their job. A landlord gets a mortgage holiday that still has to be paid with interest later. We cannot claim loss of income off the government like a business can. I think you need to take another look at what you have said. It smacks of bias and lack of thought.
Something you didn’t mention there is that if a landlord gets a payment holiday that it will effect their credit rating, just another consideration.