Is your tenant unable to work?
The Government will pay 80% of wages for employed people that are unable to work due to Coronavirus as long as they're kept on and furloughed by their employer and enrolled in the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) system. There is a cap of up to £2,500 per person, per month and employers will have the choice whether to "top up" the remaining 20%. The scheme will be backdated to the 1st March 2020 and be open initially for the following three months.
Your tenant may qualify for benefits or statutory sick pay if they've lost their job or can't work because they're sick or self isolating.
Can your tenant claim Universal Credit?
Some landlords and letting agents have been discarding housing benefit tenants for years, but now that working professionals income is at risk, tenants that receive housing benefit are being looked at more favourably.
Tenants affected by Coronavirus can claim Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions which includes support for housing costs, if eligible. The UK Government has introduced some temporary changes to make this easier.
If a tenant is getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but still can't afford their housing costs, they may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
Do you have insurance cover?
Check if you have rent-guarantee-insurance that will cover rental payments. You may of taken out a policy some time ago or perhaps a letting agent took one out on your behalf when they set up the tenancy.
