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Section 21..no rent since February.

Started by Sheena0104, May 08, 2021, 10:51:56 AM

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Sheena0104

Hello. Our tenant hasn't paid a penny in rent since Feb 21 claiming he cannot work as covid has dried up his work. We tried getting the rent paid through Universal credit but they advised he hasn't claimed this since March 20 and therefore they cannot pay us his rent direct.   He told us he would pay he arrears when his self employment grant comes through but to date we've heard nothing. He refuses to communicate with us and when we last inspected the property it was filthy, he's smoking and has a pet which all goes against our contract. We've issued a Section 21 but the earliest he needs to leave is September. We are still covering the mortgage but financially it's not easy as we rely on the rent obviously. Is there any help at all we can try and get to help us with the rent arrears?  He's effectively sitting in our flat day in day out rent free. Thank you for any advice. 

heavykarma

Unless the tenant cooperates and gets his UC.put back in place,I don't think there is much you can do.He must have some income for general living expenses,so presumably he is doing some work on the side? The mention of waiting for a grant to come through sounds very vague,he should have received such income by now if he is entitled to it.   

Hippogriff

It feels like the question is whether the Landlord here can get any help with the Tenant's rent arrears. I don't believe so, this is what Rent Guarantee Insurance would be for... but Landlords often seem to have trouble getting a policy to pay-out. Tenants themselves, I have recently learned, can possibly get some direct help for rent arrears due to Covid from their local authority... weird, isn't it? And that money would go directly to the Landlord... but it's not the case that the Landlord can commence that process, the Tenant would.

Obviously there are issues beyond just the rent here... although it's primary... so I would grit my teeth and persist with the Section 21 and whatever rent you get in in the meantime... consider a bonus. However, I think I would revert to a formal communication - letter, email, whatever - laying things out for the Tenant... and maybe even giving them some ideas about things they can do to get some money in to pay you... and make them aware that you won't let this end well... CCJ etc.. But... it feels like this business relationship is over... so depending on someone to do the right thing is a sticky wicket.

Sheena0104

Thank you both. You've both confirmed what we suspected.  My Husband actually had a job for him lined up but the tenant didn't bother to follow it up which leads us to believe he's getting an income from somewhere and not passing any of it onto us! We've also suggested ways that he can get help such as UC but he throws out advise back in our face and basically tells us to keep our noses out.  Anyway...thank you again..