Tenants: Are you worried about paying your rent? What should you do...

Firstly if you can't pay your rent take a deep breath, pick up the phone and call your Landlord or Letting Agent. Remember your health and mental well being is important. Being armed with the right information so you can make informed decisions is key and will also make you feel calmer! I hope the below will help in what is undoubtedly a very difficult and worrying time for everyone. 
 
 
The Legal position of any non-payment of rent
 
There has been no legislative change in relation to the payment of rent by tenants on behalf of the government. It is contractually due and if not paid, it will accrue as arrears and remains payable. Therefore if possible we would encourage you to pay all rent due on or before your rent due date detailed within your tenancy agreement.
 
 
What if you cant pay?
 
1. Contact your Agent or Landlord
Contact your landlord or letting agent. Do this as soon as possible to advise that you may not be able to pay the rent in full on or before your rent due date.  Confirm with them what steps you are taking to try and avoid this situation. 
 
Your landlord may be in a position to offer you a deferred payment (remember this is not a  Rent-Free Period or Holiday, your Rent is still due and payable as detailed in your Tenancy Agreement and will still be owed). A payment plan will then need to be agreed in order for you to pay this money back over a set period of time. Remember to be realistic and honest when agreeing to a payment plan. There is no point agreeing to something that you know will not be achievable.
 
2. Look to reduce your outgoings
Looking into all of your outgoings and costs. What could you cancel, reduce or change? Citizens advice offer some excellent information to assist with this: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/if-you-cant-pay-your-bills-because-of-coronavirus/  
 
3. Apply for Assistance
The Government has offered a series of financial measures to assist you whether you are PAYE or Self Employed. We would recommend starting your claims for Universal Credit or Employment Support as soon as possible to avoid any delays to your payments. 
Some websites that you may find useful are;
 
Understanding Universal Credit
 
Self Employment & Universal Credit
 
Employment & Support Allowance
 
Covid-19 Buisness Grants - Gravesham Borugh Council
 
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
 
Citizen’s Advice
 
Citizen’s Advice
 
Emergency Funding
 
 
4. Keep Records
It is also worth noting that your landlord may need to request a mortgage holiday for themselves. For them to be successful it is likely that they will need to provide proof that the income they would normally receive is at risk and what has been done to try and prevent the situation. Your landlord may need evidence of your claims to provide to their lender to be able to activate the mortgage holiday, so keep your agent and landlord informed of what you are doing and forward details of your claims to them.
 
 
 
I hope these notes have been helpful. If you need any further help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us. Whilst our office is closed at this time we are all working as usual from home. 
 
Stay safe, Stay inside and wash those hands! We will get through this!
 
Sarah