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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Many landlords are ‘struggling financially’ and cannot subsidise rents

Less than half of landlords have received full rent since March 2020, when Covid-19 lockdown rules were introduced, according to new research by Hamilton Fraser. 

A survey of 1,2000 landlords conducted by the company found that 43% of landlords have been contacted by their tenants to say they will struggle to pay rent and just 49% of landlords have received full rent payments.

More than a quarter of landlords - 27% - have received 75% or more of rent, 9% have received 50% or less and 15% have received nothing at all.

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Of those landlords who have been contacted by their tenants regarding rent payments, 75% have agreed a payment plan, such as a rent reduction or payment holiday.

However, it would appear that landlord confidence is starting to wane, with many unable to continue supporting tenants in the long term and almost a quarter - 23% - considering selling a property before the end of the stamp duty holiday on 31 March 2021.

Paul Shamplina, brand ambassador for Hamilton Fraser, said: “Given the severity of the circumstances and rising unemployment, it’s no surprise that more than 50% of tenants have been unable to pay their rent in full or at all. However, it is clear that the vast majority of landlords have done everything they can to offer support and sustain tenancies. The question is how long can that last for? 

“Many landlords are also struggling financially, owing to reduced or loss of employment, and simply don’t have the means to subsidise rents, that they rely on, indefinitely. 

“What is most concerning, is that the true scale of rent arrears and impact of the last six months will not be realised until the end of the furlough scheme in October.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

Poll: As a landlord are you struggling financially?

PLACE YOUR VOTE BELOW

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    I thought Landlords were all zillionaires who have thousands flooding in with no expenses whatsoever. Well somebody had better let Westminster know because the way they are treating our sector that must be the way they see it.

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    I'm not 'struggling' because I get LHA/UC payments for several of my tenants.
    But I do have one tenant who said to me last October "We won't be able to give you any rent until March" (March came and went and and rent came there none).
    Can you imagine staying in a hotel and telling them that you cannot pay but will carry on staying there for the next six months?
    (Having run up £5,000 in rent arrears, they moved out in May.)

    Mark Wilson

    what, thought of scheming revenge as good advice? Sounds like a wast of energy to me.

     
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    • 16 September 2020 09:41 AM

    Now go and put a CCJ on them.
    They possibly might not pay, but you will get satisfaction for knowing their credit rating will crash through the floor, no bank will touch them, no mobile phone contracts, no more landlords will take them, no HP..... And wait until they they either pay you or come crawling back

    For the hell of it, I would refuse to cancel the CCJ for the 6 years of its run, and then just before the end of the 6 years, get your money back and close the CCJ, OR renew the CCJ if they don't.

    Mark Wilson

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

     
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    • 16 September 2020 10:29 AM

    That is a bit rude!

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    Not rude, just ignorant.

     
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    Agree, very ignorant .... probably because he never thought of it!!!

    I put a CCJ against both of my tenants for not paying their rent (started not paying before Covid) even though I offered them a 25% rent reduction during the lockdown!! Just waiting on bailiffs to go in to see what possessions can be seized. And yes, there is some satisfaction knowing they haven't got away completely not paying their rent even if I don't get anything back.

     
  • Andrew McCausland

    Gents, it's a serious situation not made easier by either insulting or ill thought-out comments.

    Many tenants and landlords, myself included, have lost £1,000's due to covid but the government's actions have placed all the financial burden onto the landlords. Some people say that this is just tough luck - why should LL be a special case needing support when other businesses are failing and they should just suck it up.

    This misses the point. LL are not special, except in one regard. Government legislation means we have to keep providing a service to tenants whilst having no prospect of receiving payment for this. NO other business or sector is in this position. If you went to your local Shell garage and filled up with petrol then told the person behind the till you didn't have to pay due to the Covid situation the police would quickly be called.

    A number of my LL clients are retired and rely entirely on rental income to top up their state pensions. Without this they are really struggling, especially if they still have to service the mortgage (deferred payments still have to be repaid to the lender, they are not written off). Personally I had 1 case at court in March for eviction for non-payment of rent and the case was delayed; i have had zero rent since then. I had another case about to go to court for ASB which was also delayed. Since then the tenant has set a fire in the car park of the block of flats and damaged another tenants car. He was arrested but returned to the flat the next day. I can't evict him despite his continued abuse of his neighbours.

    They are countless other cases like this. The eviction ban is creating as many landlord and tenant losers as tenant winners.

    If government are serious about addressing the problems this has caused they should:

    1. Give hardship loans to tenants who can prove losses due to covid, paid direct to LL.
    2. Reopen the courts immediately.
    3. Put substantial extra resources to both the courts and also tenant support organisations like CAB to make sure that both LL and tenants get a fair hearing.

    Without these measures I fear that the fallout of unintended consequences from the tenant eviction ban will extend for many years to come.

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    I couldn't agree more. I am one of those pensioners relying entirely on rent money to put food on the table. I have managed OK to date thanks to the furlough scheme but my tenants are being made redundant now . The Government needs to step in and give loans to tenants. Landlords cannot support them.

     
  • icon

    Who are 'Hamilton Fraser' who it says carried out the research? Certainly not an independent research company that I've heard of. Interesting that Landlord Today - whenever it publishes the results of a 'survey' - never states where to find the detailed survey results or provide a link to it, or even how the sample of responders were selected. Not impressive.

    Andrew McCausland

    Hamilton Frazer are big fish in the landlord support business with several very successful solicitors on their books. I have huge regard for the company and Paul Shamplina who is one of their brand ambassadors for Landlord Action. Their research is amongst the limited number of resources I do trust in this politically charged arena.

     
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    Hamilton Fraser is a reputable Specialist Insurance provider for many types of policy's but especially for LL's of many years, also now incorporates / has Landlord Action (Paul Shamplina) as another arm of their services, so we better not knock them we need all the help we can get.

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    • 16 September 2020 13:54 PM

    @markwilson
    Seriously do you consider that attempt at Civil Recovery is 'vindictive retribution!!!!??'

    Really!!!???

    Mark Wilson

    not how it is preseneted!

     
  • Mark Wilson

    haha they removed my post!

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    • 16 September 2020 18:00 PM

    And you are proud about that?
    Strange. VERY strange.

    Mark Wilson

    Mr Crisp that's half the story, they deleted your message too as it was insulting. No surprise there.

     
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    I had a tenant sub letting and getting furling scheme from a major company. Thry to pay rent or provide proof of income/inability to pay eeg bank statements. Luckily for me, pre covid, they had said they were returning to their country and did in August. Otherwise I would be facing two years of legal delay to gain possession and losses of 20k+. Tenants who refuse to provide evidence of inability to pay should be subjected to speedy legal eviction.

  • Ruan Gildchirst

    When is England going to announce the same as Wales and Scotland with loan to tenants to pay back all Covid rent areas?

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    • 17 September 2020 11:00 AM

    Never!

     
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    • 17 September 2020 19:41 PM

    Mr. Wilson?

    Show me what was insulting about what I said?
    All I did was to give you an insight into what it is like to have thieving, house trashing, non paying, disgusting tenants that cost YOU loads of cash.

    Simple. But you seem to love and protect these people.

    I rather think they deleted my post by mistake and that your "zzzzzzzzzzzz" comment was the offensive issue concerned.

  • Mark Wilson

    I can’t show you they deleted it as it was offensive.

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    Come on David I think we have all worked out this Mr Wilson, don't rise to his bate.

  • Mark Wilson

    Mr Crisp, I don’t seem to do anything except identify distasteful behaviour which you are a master.

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    • 17 September 2020 23:37 PM

    Oh! Dear Mr Wilson in case you weren't aware I believe that I state things correctly when I say that every commenting LL is entirely in agreement with EVERYTHING Mr Crisp states
    He is clearly a very good LL who like the rest of us takes extreme umbridge when feckless tenants take the p.

    Personally I totally agree with EVERYTHING Mr Crisp has ever stated.

    Unfortunately for you; you will never understand the very serious issues LL face
    Of course no good LL supports dodgy LL.
    They are a scourge on the PRS particularly because they force rents lower with their poor service offer.

    Out of all the comments you have ever posted I have agreed with only two of them.

    It is my contention that Mr Crisp represents how good LL feel.

    What he expresses entirely valid opinions and in no way can they be considered distasteful.
    It is usually tenants that are distasteful and it seems you support their feckless attitudes and actions.
    Surely you would be better commenting on the Guardian articles.
    Your opinions aren't valid and aren't wanted here.
    You are of no use to LL so why do you bother thinking that we LL are interested in what you have to say.
    Seriously why do you bother being on this site!?

     
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    • 18 September 2020 01:08 AM

    Distasteful for you.
    The truth and reality for me.

     
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