Little statistic

28% of landlords have seen an increase in rent arrears during the last year. Or, it's roughly a quarter; Property Sparrow cannot remember the precise numbers but it's something like that.

Ever the little statistic, Property Sparrow has one of her four tenants in arrears, that's definitely a quarter. The tenant's about 3 months behind.

The Lettings Agent rang to say that the tenant had been to the Citizens Advice Bureau with his section 8 notice and they had told him to talk to his landlord.

Property Sparrow has never spoken to this tenant before as everything has always been handled by the Lettings Agent but, realising that the tenant is no ostrich, she was straight on the phone to him. She wants the rent money and not a void, not at this time of year and with so many similar flats vacant.

She had a long conversation with her tenant: she heard all about his wife looking for a job, how he is trying to pay off the loan on his car and how the lack of overtime has reduced his income. Property Sparrow tried to put him right on his priorities: rent comes first, please. He agreed to pay an extra £100 per month.

Property Sparrow checked her monthly statement today and the extra £100 has been paid in. One statistic going down, at least for now.

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