Rent arrears

Rent Arrears

Many landlords have not really experienced rent arrears before. However, with the present economic climate, many tenants are finding it difficult to pay their rent. Tenants should realise that paying rent should be their top priority. If they fall into the “vulnerable” classification as determined by Local Authorities, and they are evicted, Local Authorities have an obligation to re-house them. If the eviction is as a result of rent arrears being built up because money was used for lower priority debts, the Local Authority might consider that the tenant became voluntarily homeless, and therefore has no obligation to re-house. It is important for your tenants to realise this. You could assist if a tenant starts to fall into arrears, by helping the tenant to apply for housing benefit or agreeing to stage payments. Do not allow rent arrears to build up without trying to help your tenants.