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2 years ago | 22 comments
My tenant is expecting – advice?
12:05 AM, 12th March 2024, 2 years ago
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Hello, first time posting on here so please go easy on me! One of my tenants has just mentioned that she’s pregnant.
I’m not sure how this is going to affect things from a rent-paying point of view. She’s on benefits but does work from time to time in various part-time jobs.
This means that she is always late paying the rent. A few months ago she was two months in arrears so I had to explain exactly what might happen if she didn’t resolve the situation. Thankfully she’s up to date now.
She has an on-off boyfriend who was on the AST at one time, and I think he helped with the rent too. The property is a one-bed flat which, personally, I don’t think suitable for bringing up a baby.
I would really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thank you,
Martin
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Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
10:00 AM, 12th March 2024, About 2 years ago
You are stuck with it. I think you will find a 1 bed flat according to the council is acceptable for mother and baby. However you could issue an S21 now or wait until she is 2 months in arrears. In either case if she contests it and goes to court you can expect a hard time from the judge. Just make sure no one moves in with her as she is likely to lose her benefits.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 120
10:14 AM, 12th March 2024, About 2 years ago
I agree with @GlanACC, although a Section 8 would be more sensible (including Section 21) if arrears are accrued but you are going to be under attack from the Council either way and they will offer no assistance to your tenant or offer another property
You have mentioned an on-off boyfriend who was once named on the tenancy? Was he removed? Was it easier for her to get benefits living there as a sole tenant but he remained ‘visiting’? If so, then she may have been fraudulently claiming….?
Part of me wants to believe that everything will be fine – the benefits will adequately cover the rent and the mum-to be will take pride in her home and putting a nice roof over her child’s head…..the other part of me feels that perhaps I have been dealing with this for too many years and am way too cynical!
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1435 - Articles: 1
10:15 AM, 12th March 2024, About 2 years ago
How is the boyfriend no longer on the AST?
When the child is older the mother could sleep in the lounge on a sofa bed.
Her benefits will increase once the child is born.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
10:39 AM, 12th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 12/03/2024 – 10:15
Her expenses and outgoings will increase considerably once the child id born
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2004
12:47 PM, 12th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Make it clear that the obligation to pay the rent remains with her (check all your documentation) and advise her to contact the child maintenance service to ensure that the father contributes.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-we-work-out-child-maintenance/how-we-work-out-child-maintenance
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 335
7:09 AM, 13th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Section 21 immediately correctly served its not worth the hassle, 24 years experience tells me there’s more to come when the child is born , a tenant with a pocket full of your rent money and a baby to look after have a guess what’s going to get priority, l know this sounds harsh but it’s a reality of life.
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 137
7:21 AM, 13th March 2024, About 2 years ago
If you had a word and she’s now up to date with the rent then you can only evict with section 21. However I would morally question the need to evict her. Just because she is pregnant any it’s very likely she will struggle isn’t an automatic assumption that she should be evicted. This would give Landlords a bad name.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
7:38 AM, 13th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by JaSam at 13/03/2024 – 07:21
I have been there twice in this situation, believe me she will struggle.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 7
4:37 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Can you request that the rent is sent directly to you, now before baby comes along. Advise her that this will take the stress away from her. It will also help prevent any break down in relationship between you. I’m sure UC still allow this at the request of the tenant. She has to admit she can’t manage her money. Which sounds like the case anyway. Good luck.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
4:40 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Caroline Ritchie at 13/03/2024 – 16:37
In short NO, if she isnt in arrears she would have to agree with it and so would UCredit or council depending on how she is paid.