Having trouble paying rent...I'm going to write a letter to owners.What should I write?

Question

I am kind of stuck on what to write in a letter to the owners. I am currently not working, and we are trying to pay so many things with little money.I want her to understand that we are trying our best. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am so tired with this hanging over my head all of the time.

Answer 1

You have to understand that these people depend on your rent to pay the mortgage they owe on your home. If they don't pay, or pay late, this affects them very seriously, their credit score gets affected. I understand that you have money troubles, but first things first, don't let someone else become affected by your troubles. THey are innocent in all this, their lives shouldn't suffer because of you.

PAY YOUR RENT FIRST!!!

The things you need are utilities, right? There are programs to help you in time of need, contact your utility dept for the numbers of these programs. Usually they won't shut you off for at least 2 months if you are behind, maybe 3.

Things like credit cards or a car payment should be the last thing you worry about paying since these only afect you and they are not necessities, yes a car is needed, but they won't repo for at least 3-6 months.

If you don't pay, your landlord has the right to give you a 3 day eviction notice. Even if they are nice understanding people, they have to cover their own behinds and if you cant pay, SOMEONE ELSE WILL

If you can't get the rent in 3 days after your notice, they have the right to file eviction with the courts. It's true that during the court process that you may be able to live there for another 4 months or so, but that should be the last think you want for yourself because in addition to the late rent, they have a right to charge you for late fees as well as all the court fees. PLUS, this will be on your record forever and the reason rental companies do credic checks is mainly to see if you have any evictions. NO one cares about your excuse and No one will rent to you ever again with an eviction on your record.

So do yourself a favor and instead of your personal bills, take care of your rent for everyones sake.

The best thing to do is talk to her personally, over the phone, the more upfront you are, the better you will be heard instead of hiding behind a letter.
Explain your situation and most will be ok with a late payment AS LONG AS YOU GIVE THEM A SET DATE that you will give them the rest.

If you are honest and sinceere, she should be willing to work with you, but beware, they know their rights and even though they may want to help you out by giving you extentions, they need to take care of themselves, so don't be surprised if they stay strict and give you a 3 day notice.

Answer 2

First stop if you are in the UK is Citizens Advice!!!! get yourself down there and they will help you sort the whole thing!

If it's at all possible, arrange to meet the owner to explain face to face - it's difficult to explain these things in a letter without either seeming arrogant and couldnt care less, or alternatively on your knees pleading for mercy. Either way, you should include an income and expenditure (what's coming in (financially) and what's going out (and where it's going). If you have credit cards / bank loans etc, these are obviously important debts, but not as important as keeping a roof over you and you family's head, so you need to contact these and inform them of your situation too, and make a suggestion of how much you can reasonably pay them per month.

Best of luck - you will get through this! :-)

Answer 3

I hate to tell you this but you need to pay your rent, food and utilities. It's hard to be in this situation I'm sure, however, understand your landlord doesn't get a break with her creditors if you can't pay your rent.

If you really feel like she will cut you some slack, talk to her in person, not through a letter. Deal with the situation face to face.

Can you move to a cheaper place?

The next thing you should do is really get yourself on a serious budget. Unless you can't work because of a medical condition you should probably find a part time job to take up the slack until you get back on your feet.

Look around, what can you sell? Start selling. Cut the unnecessary expenses....fast food, coffee, movie rentals, cable tv, even cut the ties to the internet until you can afford it. These things are extras not necessities. It may be tough to do, but you have got to get yourself committed to getting yourself out of debt.

I hope you will be successful.... If you need some guidance, there are plenty of tools available at Dave Ramsey's website to assist you in some quick budgeting methods. If you can follow his principles....eventually you will be debt free.

Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 4

Pay your rent, utililities and food. You need these to live. Let other bills slide for a while. You can call a lot a credit card companies and ask for a three or six month payment holiday. Otherwise they will take a few months before they start to harass you.

Get into a good credit counseling program and learn what your alternatives are.

Answer 5

I agree with the person who said talk face to face. If your situation and asking for this favor is going to be taken at all well... it needs to be done face to face. I know that's hard and uncomfortable but it puts the human part of it in the equation. A letter is just a piece of paper.

Think of it this way... if someone wanted a generous, heart-filled favor from you would you prefer they asked you in person or by letter?

Also, with what you're asking and your reasons for asking... on paper it will likely look like so much a common, everyday sob story... in person or at least by phone if you can't see them in person for some reason (distance)... hearing the situation and reasoning in your own voice will let the landlord guage the sincerity and truthfulness, etc. for themselves. It will have more impact, regardless of what the answer ends up being.

Just be truthful, explain your situation, and in addition to asking for the landlord's generosity be sure to let them know what it is you are doing to try and remedy the situation. It's kind of like collateral at a bank. If you offer something of yourself you're a better risk than someone who offers nothing in return for the favor.

Best wishes for you!

Answer 6

Pay your rent first. Food you can get from foodbanks and soup kitchens.

What is your letter supposed to do, other than have the LL understand your situation? It won't absolve you of your duty to pay him or his need to pay the mortgage on the property. If you are already late in paying the clock is ticking now.

The only way to get this off your head is to pay.

Answer 7

If you're American, you can go to your town's social services department for help. Good Luck!