Help tenant hasn’t paid rent since February?
10 months ago | 27 comments
Persistent lack of rent top ups?
12:01 AM, 1st July 2025, 10 months ago
5
Hi everyone, I have an annoying situation.
In 2023, the LHA paid most of the tenant’s rent excepting £25 pcm, so the tenant was supposed to top this up. They never did despite constant reminders etc and even supplying him with numbers for Council and DHP application form (he claims he could not afford the top ups).
This is a one bed flat, he’s over 35 so perfectly affordable (even the council agreed). The arrears never got to the 2 months worth of TOTAL rent where a UC47 could be sent off (I did try – but refused)
In 2024, the LHA increase meant top ups not required so arrears static but they remained.
In April 2025, the rent increase means now £25 pcm top ups are required again. The tenant is refusing to pay.
I have not added on interest on any late payment yet (AST states 3% of base rate once after 14 days no payment) so thinking of using this now to try and get his attention/leverage, just so the arrears are finally cleared and everything is up to date.
Where do I start calculating all this to determine what is due now? Presumably you can’t compound interest this?
Thank you,
Reluctant Landlord
Tags:
claim for rent arrears, dealing with rent arrears, Landlords, landlords LHA, LHA increase, LHA Rate Changes UK 2025, rent arrears
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1589
8:34 AM, 1st July 2025, About 10 months ago
Section 21 whilst it’s available (because they are bullying you) and Section 8 for rent arrears when appropriate.
Member Since August 2022 - Comments: 100
9:24 AM, 1st July 2025, About 10 months ago
I agree with Cider Drinker. Serve a S21 and get a decent person who will pay the rent on time.
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 4
10:11 AM, 1st July 2025, About 10 months ago
You need to be having a conversation with the tenant. Tell them that it is clear that they cannot afford to rent your property, so they will have to look for somewhere cheaper.
Once they start looking they will realise that most private rentals will involve them having to top up, due to local housing rates being frozen over and over again.
They are leaving you with no option but to evict them, unless you wish to subsidise their living costs for the foreseeable future.
Member Since September 2024 - Comments: 95
10:24 AM, 1st July 2025, About 10 months ago
I fear this is going to become a lot more frequent once S21 is scrapped. Expect arrears to build up to the limit at which you can trigger a S8, then at the last minute, after you have paid and waited for a court date, the council will step in and clear the arrears to stop the tenant becoming homeless. You will have your arrears, but also have your court costs.
The only solution is to get rid of all tenants like this while you can, and replace them with better quality tenants with home-owning guarantors.
Perhaps use the opportunity of the change in tenant to upgrade the flat – we have always maintained our properties to a high standard to ensure we have the pick of the tenants.
You are paid to provide housing, not to deal with unnecessary grief.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1447 - Articles: 1
2:13 PM, 1st July 2025, About 10 months ago
Once rent top-ups – 2 months rent in arears issue a s21 Notice