Have a rent arrears process and stick to it -

1. Monitor rent on a daily basis including a bank recon

2. Daily communication by SMS or e-mail with tenant/s making them aware of the missed rent payment

3. Use an SMS template to offer a brief text with relevant information.

4. If the first sms doesn’t yield results - talk to the tenant about what’s happening

5. If the tenant is 4 days in arrears, email a ‘Notice of Overdue Rent’. Use a template to ensure correct information is given to the tenant regarding:

• The amount of overdue rent

• Dates for which the rent was/is overdue

• Consequences of failing to pay rent within 14 days

6. Discuss how the tenant/s plan to bring rent up to date and when

7. Monitor to see if there are any historic issues with non-payment of rent or is this a one-off

8. Discuss options with tenants, possibility of having a flat mate, suggest budgeting service or work & income or looking at cheaper rental home options

9. Follow up any verbal agreement made with a written agreement

10. Make the tenant aware how habitual rent arrears can affect the tenant’s credit history for any future tenancies.