Tenants who fail to pay their rent on time, or worse, stop paying rent, but refuse to move out are a huge concern for many landlords across the UK. They can undoubtedly affect your business interests, especially if you fail to address the issue immediately. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to recover unpaid or overdue rent efficiently:
Meet Your Tenant Personally
Perhaps, you have a property manager that has been dealing with the tenants on your behalf. This time, set up an in-person meeting with the tenant in question to find out the truth behind their non-payment. If they have a valid reason, such as a sudden job loss or medical emergency, you may consider offering them a temporary, flexible payment plan to catch up with their rent. But, be sure to document the agreement so that in case the tenant fails to fulfil their promise, you have the legal proof to evict or file a case against them.
Let the Tenant Work Off the Rent
If the temporary payment plan didn’t work and you still don’t want to evict your tenant, you may opt to let them pay their rent in another way. For instance, let them repair your car troubles if they’re a mechanic. Or, they can work off their debt through housework or running errands. With this option, you can avoid the expensive and stressful process of eviction.
Hire a Bailiff
Sometimes, no matter how hard you’d tried to help your tenant catch up with the rent, they just end up failing to fulfil their responsibilities. In a worst case scenario, consider hiring bailiff. M.S. Webb & Co., for instance, provides Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) throughout England and Wales. The bailiffs will handle the situation, from providing notice of enforcement to seizing tenant’s goods as payment for the unpaid, overdue rent.
While dealing with this kind of situation can be extremely stressful, it’s vital to approach it as calmly as possible. No matter which action you take, always remember to treat your tenants with respect but don’t be fearful to communicate and enforce your rights as the landlord.
