The pandemic has affected my ability to pay rent – what should I do?

The coronavirus pandemic continues to be very tough on most people around the world. The vicious cycle of losing jobs, experiencing financial instability, and not being able to pay rent continues echoing globally. It is not surprising if you, too, are facing this issue, like thousands of others.

Maybe you are not working your job right now, or someone in your family is sick, or perhaps things are just not in a good place with you right now. The pandemic is continuing to cause a lot of distress and will remain till we find a way out. If you find that your ability to pay rent is dwindling due to the pandemic, then you might be in a tight spot.

Although it is unfair to imagine that your landlord should allow you to continue living rent-free, you might also realize that there is no easy way out of this situation. However, don’t panic. Here are some things that you can do if you find yourself in this challenging situation:

1.) Try and speak to your landlord openly

This might turn out to be a long shot, but it’s worth a try.

You can always speak to your landlord openly about your situation and why you are unable to pay your rent on time. Your landlord will likely be sympathetic to your situation. Of course, we are all in this pandemic together, and we all understand the difficult situation we are in, along with many others.

However, this does not guarantee that your landlord will accept your premise. Keep in mind that your landlord also needs to pay individual bills, which he probably does with the help of rent money. So although there is no surety of how much this will work, it is worth a try.

2.) Look for alternative income sources

The pandemic is turning us very creative- at least when it comes to finding new sources of income!

Maybe you are not working right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look for other sources of income. Look around online for any new jobs, be it a part-time, temporary, or a contract basis. You can even think of starting a business online.

However, if all of these options are also not working for you, you can look into making claims for benefits. The Government is doing everything possible to ease this difficult time for citizens. There are other kinds of financial support that you can look to take.

The most important thing is not to give up hope. You need to keep fighting because remember that you are not alone in this. The rest of the world is also struggling with you, and eventually, we will find a way out of this.

3.) Check if you can reduce your rent

You should speak to your landlord about reducing your rent if it is possible. If they do not agree with this, you can also ask if they can allow you to pay your rent a little late. Maybe you can even choose to pay it in smaller installments.

There are a dozen different variations to this, and you might be able to work it out with your landlord if you both are willing. Considering the problematic situation everyone is facing, it is possible that your landlord might agree on some payment system, or might even agree to reduce your rent for a while.

Check if you can get new flatmates because that might also help you share the cost of rent with others.

Of course, due to the social distancing norms and also just out of precaution, many might not be willing to move into a new home during this time. However, it is worth a try.

You can speak to your landlord about this option and get new roommates or flatmates. You can then share the cost of the rent and also other expenses.

4.) Talk to an advisor

With more and more people losing income and the ability to pay rent, professional help is essential. Thankfully, there are advisors who you can visit who can help you with precisely this kind of situation.

You might be able to find a way out, which will help you pay your rent with the help of the advisor’s guidance. Conversely, the advisor can also speak to your landlord to explain your situation better. They may act as a mediator and help you figure out some understanding with your landlord.

5.) Find out about rent in arrears

You can speak to an expert and figure out if you are eligible to rent in arrears. If yes, then you can take up this option, as it will help you stay in your home while having some time to figure out how you can pay your rent.

Keep in mind that if you have other debts as well, you should find out in which order you should repay those debts. However, the option of paying your rent in arrears can be beneficial during this situation. Again, you can speak to a professional to find out more information about this and if you can avail of the option or not.

6.) You might want to get out of your tenancy

There is one final option, where you can choose to end your tenancy early if your landlord allows it. Although you might have to pay for the entire month, even if you leave your flat at an earlier time, you might be able to end your tenancy early. Be sure to find an alternative, whether it means moving into a cheaper home, or getting into joint tenancy, or even moving back into your family home.

The pandemic has brought about a challenging and dire time in this world. Most people are going through dozens of problems, a lot of them to do with our financial situations. Remember that you can always get help if you are unable to pay your rent. Speak to your city council or an advisor who can guide you on the right approach to take.