Tenancy expires during Covid-19 lockdown

Tenancy expires during Covid-19 lockdown

14:04 PM, 15th April 2020, About 4 years ago 14

Text Size

I am a landlord, having a 2 bed flat with 1 tenant. The tenancy agreement is due to expire early May.

The tenant says he doesn’t know if he can leave. He also just told me he can only pay half the rent as he lost his job.

I don’t mind giving him time to pay the full rent, but definitely not staying there after the agreement expires, not paying

1. can he stay in the flat without valid tenancy agreement?
2. can he stay in the flat without paying?
3. anything I can do?

Many Thanks

Jo


Share This Article


Comments

Mick Roberts

13:01 PM, 16th April 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 16/04/2020 - 09:39
Brilliant Luke, your words below sum up what it's like in our lives now:

Welcome to the world of landlording…leave all ideas of fairness and justice that apply to almost every other area of life at the door and learn a whole separate set of (infuriating) rules.

Michael Bond

13:22 PM, 16th April 2020, About 4 years ago

Has your tenant been a "sacked" or "furloughed"? If he has been sacked he is presumably entitled to Universal Credit which includes an element for housing, that is rent. If he has been "furloughed" he should be receiving 80% of his wages from the government so could pay up to 80% of his rent. You may need to help him through whichever process applies. Don't accept a response that he has never taken any hand out from the state and does not intend to start now. In theory admirable but explain that it is you who would be paying for his pride.

Prakash Tanna

10:52 AM, 18th April 2020, About 4 years ago

As stated by others, his commitment to pay the rent continues as per the terms of the tenancy. If I was you, I will find out what work he did, can his employer furlough him or can he apply for Universal Credit (UC). Provide him with assistance so that he claims any money he is entitled to. Once he goes past 2 full months of rent arrears in total (if it gets to that), complete the UC47 form and ask for direct payments. In my opinion, it's unacceptable for tenants to say they have lost their job and not apply for Government assistance or go back to their employer and ask they are furloughed. If after this, and assessing their income they can not reasonably afford the rent in full, one would agree to defer part of the payment until they are back into employment or agree a reduction. That choice is based on individual cases and circumstances and there is no rule that 'fits all'. Hope that helps.

zhorik

16:03 PM, 18th April 2020, About 4 years ago

if he has lost his job then surely eventually he will be eligible for housing benefit.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now