Allow Landlords to evict tenants where there are 14 days rent arrears

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 06/10/2020 - 10:21
And rhis is gertting dangerous for us. Shelter is waiting for such a precedence! Does anyone know the author and can ask him to remove the petiton or at least re-word it? Time to sell up and pack up.

The author is Ranjan Bhattacharya who works closely with Property118 in seminars. I have already asked for him to remove the petition in one of my earlier postings on pp118. I would be surprised, if he does not read these postings

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 06/10/2020 - 10:40
If you look at the petition, it reveals the well known author in first paragraph.
It's a little concerning that so much opinion has been negatively expressed without even reading the petition.
All landlords will have differing opinions on timescales for Possession, but one thing I think All Landlords would agree upon, is the 7 month + ( pre-Ciovid ) was not acceptable. This petition is the Only positive move for Landlords that I'm aware of, and so if I personally believe a slight change would be better, I'm not going to sit back and refuse to support other Landlords.
For those that don't wish to sign it, that's everyone's individual prerogative, But - I'm keen to hear alternative suggestions and further, what they have done to advance Landlords position against the incessant attack over the last decade.
Sadly, I think sitting back and saying ' yes there are a few bad Landlords, but not me - look at my shining example, just isn't going to cut it.
So, I'm all ears for alternative suggestions, pretty much almost anything of which you can rely on my support.

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 06/10/2020 - 11:24
I actually read the petition. I put "author' just for speed, as I did not want to misspell without double checking. I understand your point Chris, but I still think 14 days is going to hurt us LLs enormously. If it was changed to 1 month, it will attract more support - as I already wrote here.

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 06/10/2020 - 11:24
Chris we share your frustration but this petition is of the something must be done fallacy. "Something must be done!" cry landlords. "This (the petition) is something. Therefore it must be done."

It is not supporting landlords to pull a stunt which alienates non-landlords.

We need to explain to politicians that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Whilst they may think they are helping tenants they are (a) just putting off the evil day when rent arrears have to be paid unless they provide financial assistance to landlords whose tenants default and (b) reducing the number of rental properties pushes up rents and means landlords will be choosier about tenants. In future many tenants will not be able to find any accommodation in the PRS.

I'm almost surprised he didn't go for the USA way of doing things.

There notice can be given on the first day the rent is late. The tenant is given somewhere between 3-10 days to pay, If they don't, that's it. Tenancy terminated.

That's way too fast. Those are the kind of time scales where a banking error like the Natwest one a few years back could get you evicted.

I really don't mind it being 14 days as would I be right in thinking that you can officially serve a section 8 on day 1 of the rent being late? Its discretional so won't be enforced by the court, but you could still issue it?

I kind of wonder if it would be useful to have an independant service for no payment of rent. The landlord notifies the agency, who in turn notifies the tenant. The tenant in return deals with this agency instead of the landlord. Cuts out the non-communication with the landlord issue as they may be more inclined to deal with a third party. This agency could then issue an order depending on whether the tenant has contacted them with any response.

Reply to the comment left by The Forever Tenant at 06/10/2020 - 12:05
In the UK, tenants are legally allowed to pay the rent up to 7 days late. This came in last year. So, I can only see the government and every one else, having a good laugh, once they see the petition stating that we should be able to evict after 14 days.

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 06/10/2020 - 11:53
Do you know what Whiteskifreak ( presumably in Surrey, would love to know what that name means - a skier perhaps ? )
Personally, until yesterday, I actually agreed with you that a month would be more realistic. [ Notwithstanding you can't get 'credit' for most other living essentials, supermarket etc ] So what changed my opinion yesterday ?

Well I had a call from a past client who's husband is very ill, and works on minimum wage. ( that was a wage until Covid struck, then it was a long wait for U.C application which was declined because she was a rental property owner. Zero financial assistance from the state. ( So much for landlord taxes hey ? )
The family sole income was from one flat rental.
The Covid put her tenants out of work and there was two months rental shortfall. The landlord described to me how they were actually scraping to live during this period. ( Honest to god, this was a conversation Yesterday ! )
After that conversation, I changed my mind to actually supporting 14 days.
Landlords circumstances - finances come in all shapes and sizes, many if not all will have been affected to differing extents during the pandemic.

I told my client of the petition and she was certainly going to sign it. I have personally signed it in sympathy with landlords such as my client, - solidarity, if you will.

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 06/10/2020 - 12:14
So should be able to evict after 7 days then Clint ?

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 06/10/2020 - 12:14
Paragraph 4(2)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 says interest for late payment cannot be charged until the rent is more than 14 days late.