Creating A ‘Payment Plan’ When Tenants Fall Into Arrears

Tenant Rent Arrears Payment Plan

If your tenant is in rent arrears and you’re willing to give your tenant the opportunity to slowly redeem themselves, a reasonable solution might be to offer them a rental payment plan.

A rental payment plan is a revised payment solution which can be used when a tenant has a temporary/sudden change in financial circumstance. The plan should be used to help the tenant catch up with their arrears and/or help manage their new financial circumstance.

When my tenant fell into arrears, we agreed to a scheduled payment plan together to help manage the situation.

Of course, payment plans won’t be suitable for all rent arrear cases, because sadly, often there’s no solution other than eviction and debt recovery service. But payment plans are definitely worth a shot under the right circumstances, specifically with the right tenants.

You remember a few weeks ago when I published a blog post about how my tenant was close to falling 2 months in arrears, and how he wanted me to show mercy because he was “honest” about his financial difficulties (for some reason the donkey presumed I would NEVER have discovered the rent arrears if he wasn’t honest about it), right?

You remember, right? If not, do the right thing by clicking on the link provided above.

So as the situation stood, my tenant was 5 days shy of falling 2 months into arrears, which would increase the amount he owed to £1600 (2 x £800pcm).

Credit where credit due, up until he hit financial turmoil, he’s been a good and reasonable tenant. But since then, he’s been a bit of an irrational tosser, which I imagine is due to stress. Understandable, of course. But still frustrating.

On one hand, I don’t want to see him or his family on the streets, but on the other hand, I can’t endure his rent arrears. So there I was, contemplating whether or not to serve the dreaded Section 8, eviction notice.

But check this out…

After I informed him he was close to qualifying for grounds of eviction, he miraculously managed to pay £800 4 days before the 2 months arrears mark.

Amazing how scary powerful the word “eviction” can be in these situations. I have no idea how or where he managed to find the funds, but nor do I care, that’s his sleazy business, I’m just glad the debt is settled.

However, unfortunately for all parties involved, the current month’s rent was due in 4 days time, which means he needs to miraculously fish out another £800 from somewhere. That’s the problem with arrears, they can snowball quickly, and that’s a reality that some tenants often fail to appreciate when landlords are encouraging them to keep on top of payments.

Realistically, finding another £800 in 4 days time was never going to happen, and we both knew it.

While my preferred choice would be to get his wife into something inappropriately filthy and sexy so she can work the streets in order to recoup the arrears, we decided to go with plan B, to compile a “repayment plan”, which would give him a little extra time to catch up with his payments and keep him on track for future payments.

So here’s a quick run-down of the situation:

  • Rent is due on the 25th of each month
  • Tenant was going to be 2 months in arrears on the 25th May (£1600), meaning he would owe rent for April and May
  • He managed to pay £800 on the 21st of May to cover April’s rent
  • On the 25th of May, rent was due again, which he couldn’t pay.

The scheduled payment plan

He said he could do the following, which would cover May’s rent:

Date DueAmount (£)
25th May400
25th June1000
25th July1000
25 August (back to regular payments)800
TOTAL2400

Essentially, we agreed to spread May’s rent over three months. Not ideal, but very workable and reasonable from my perspective (my tenant’s, too).

I actually feel very fortunate given the circumstances. The payment plan was simple and easy to swallow; I’ve definitely been tangled and dragged through much more complicated and unreasonable plans. I’m grateful.

Generally speaking, the simpler the plans, the more achievable they are and the better likelihood of success.

Maybe you should consider offering a payment plan when tenants are in arrears

Payment plans don’t always work, especially if they’re unrealistic. Moreover, a lot of the times they’re just used as a decoy by the tenant to by-time. So you need to assess the situation carefully, and be realistic about whether the plan is achievable/suitable for your situation.

Before offering a payment plan, it might be worth discussing how and when the tenant plans on obtaining their money. You should be able to make a decision based on those details, along with using their past behaviors as a character reference (i.e. have they generally been good tenants?).

A lot of the times tenants just need a little time to make arrangements, and a revised payment plan is exactly the type of breathing space they need to get their shit together. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Payment plans can be a good option for honourable tenants, and certainly better than unnecessary evictions.

Document the payment plan on paper

This is an imperative process in the “payment plan” solution for both tenant and landlord. Document everything. Once you come up with a payment plan, write down everything that was agreed in a clear and understandable manner, and send a copy to the tenant to sign and send back to you. Ideally, the tenant and landlord will each have a copy, so there is no confusion.

Right, I’m done. Please feel free to contribute to the topic!

P.s. Does anyone have an example of a template payment plan? That would be useful. If I manage to get a decent one, I’ll provide a link for ya’ll to download.

No luck? Try using a rent recovery service…

Your tenant not playing ball?

Did s/he give your fair payment plan the finger?

It happens. Unfortunately, you may have to start the eviction process and/or start the rent recovery process.

Best of luck xo

9 Join the Conversation...

Guest Avatar
YesAdam 13th June, 2012 @ 16:27

Your welcome, see comment 5 in previous article. I should have asked for commission along with the comment, theirs always next time.

I do have a court issued payment plan, its nothing special just words on a paper. Its where we won a Section 8, but knowing tenant was not at "fault" (kinda) I agreed that I wont go for possession if plan was stuck too (it has been so far).

Copy of Payment Plan: http://i.imgur.com/Ac9r1.jpg

1
The Landlord Avatar
The Landlord 14th June, 2012 @ 08:57

Ha, I didn't even remember you suggested a payment plan! But I want to give you credit, because you've already claimed it, and I don't want to snatch it away from you and rock the boat between us! So, thank you very much, I owe you.

Ahh, that is interesting. Never seen a court ordered payment plan before. I could use that to draft a payment plan. Once again, thanks! You've been beautiful.

2
Guest Avatar
Chris 28th September, 2018 @ 18:59

You're an absolutely terrible person and clearly lack professionalism.

It's a get thing you're a landlord because you'd fail in any other environment.

You also didn't establish consequences should they fail to repay.

3
The Landlord Avatar
The Landlord 28th September, 2018 @ 20:17

No point debating with someone that knows everything *rolls eyes*

4
Guest Avatar
Rupa 24th July, 2019 @ 15:10

Awesome website

5
Guest Avatar
Jan plummer 20th August, 2019 @ 07:38

My partner had a tenant who was 2 months in arrears and one month before the end if STA.
proposal was put to him to extend tenancy by 6 months and to pay off arrears weekly during that time. Would this be classed as periodic tenancy as no new agreement was signed only agreement by exchange of letters.my partner sadly died leaving me as an executor to sell his house so Now want to give tenant notice. Do i serve a s21

6
Guest Avatar
Caz 30th January, 2020 @ 09:09

Hi The Landlord,

My tenants are always late by a few days in paying rent. Their rent is due on the 26th each month and my mortgage repayment is on the 30th and most times their rent has not been paid by the 30th and that got me in arrears of my mortgage and fined £35. The property is currently managed by an estate agent. I don't know what I should say to the estate agent to chase the tenants.

7
Guest Avatar
Karren 4th June, 2020 @ 08:27

Does anyone have a repayment plan template please.
My tenant has had a 3month "rent holiday" whilst being out of work, and I'm looking to put a repayment plan in place.
He currently owes £1500 and has now given me a months notice, so leaving on 1st July.

8
Guest Avatar
Ferenc 25th September, 2020 @ 08:47

"his wife into something inappropriately filthy and sexy so she can work the streets"
honestly? what is wrong with you? ì´m a landlord myself but thats sick mister

9
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