Claim that one third of renters didn't pay rent

[Climber]

I don't buy that, if accurate, that 1/3 of the nation's renters couldn't afford rent. If accurate, it seems like a portion of the people are trying to take advantage of this pandemic to get out of paying rent. But, they would be little different from the bottom feeders at the top spending every waking moment figuring out how to exploit the $Trillions in aid for personal gain.

Nearly a third of Americans didn't pay rent this month, new data shows

With nearly 10 million Americans filing for unemployment in March, April 1 was always going to be a difficult day for US renters.

Now we know just how difficult: Nearly a third of American renters didn't pay their rent this month.
That's according to data from the National Multifamily Housing Council, a trade association for the apartment industry.


Of more than 13 million units in the US that the report covered, 69% of renters paid their rent between April 1 and 5. During the same period in April 2019, 82% of households paid their rent on time, the report said.

Personally, I think they're inflating the numbers, notice that a year ago 82% paid late and now they're taking a 69% paying late as 1/3 not paying.

I think that the number who won't pay this month is less than half, but it might become a self-fulfilling prophesy as stories like this may embolden many to not pay rent...safety in numbers.

 

[Yakoo752]

How many shitty landlords are collecting rent AND claiming non-payment?

How many shitty renters are simply not paying?

Tough to tell.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I feel like rent is the most important bill to pay. (That's just me)

 

[Climber]

I feel like rent is the most important bill to pay. (That's just me)

It's by far the largest and the one that if you get behind you're unlikely to ever catch up.

Good instincts on your part.

 

[Beanzy]

I feel like rent is the most important bill to pay. (That's just me)

Feeding the family is a higher priority.

 

[ejv]

I don't buy that, if accurate, that 1/3 of the nation's renters couldn't afford rent. If accurate, it seems like a portion of the people are trying to take advantage of this pandemic to get out of paying rent. But, they would be little different from the bottom feeders at the top spending every waking moment figuring out how to exploit the $Trillions in aid for personal gain.

Nearly a third of Americans didn't pay rent this month, new data shows

Personally, I think they're inflating the numbers, notice that a year ago 82% paid late and now they're taking a 69% paying late as 1/3 not paying.

I think that the number who won't pay this month is less than half, but it might become a self-fulfilling prophesy as stories like this may embolden many to not pay rent...safety in numbers.

Read it again. 82% paid by the 5th of April last year. This year it was 69%. That's how many paid not how many did not pay. So in April 2020 31% of renters in the sample did not pay April rent on time. That's a 13% year over year increase in late/non payment for their sample. 12% increase from March 2020 to April 2020. Just because people didn't pay doesn't necessarily mean they can't pay. Once local jurisdictions started putting policies in place forbidding evictions and foreclosures etc, people started to think what could they better use the money for. If you have $3K and now no income and your rent is $2K but you know you can't be kicked out, maybe you skip rent and pay for power, food, water etc.


I just hope my landlord didn't lose his job thus taking my rent to pay the mortgage on his place and not on the house we live in. He has a mortgage for both. I think my household income is more secure than his. Actually I know it is. Wonder if he would tell me if he couldn't afford his mortgage. Probably not.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Feeding the family is a higher priority.

Depends. Hard to do without a roof over your head.
Meanwhile, one thing that tends to get lost in these conversations is the notion you won't be evicted for non-payment of rent. While that may be true, the rent is deferred not forgiven. That money is going to come due when this is over.

 

[Beanzy]

I'm in line with ejv's answer.

Lots of people live paycheck-to-paycheck. Just because they didn't pay by the fifth doesn't mean they didn't pay.

And with the kids home 24/7, I bet everybody's eating more out of sheer boredom.

 

[two wheel tramp]

Feeding the family is a higher priority.

Did you notice how I said "For me" and didn't make a blanket statement for anyone? Different people have different values. I did not say my value is true for everyone.

My son is an adult who no longer lives with me. My perspective might be different if he were still in my home but I suspect I would still find a roof over his head most important.

 

[GAJ]

I don't buy that, if accurate, that 1/3 of the nation's renters couldn't afford rent. If accurate, it seems like a portion of the people are trying to take advantage of this pandemic to get out of paying rent. But, they would be little different from the bottom feeders at the top spending every waking moment figuring out how to exploit the $Trillions in aid for personal gain.

We have 4 rentals, three residential, (all still working), and one commercial, (still operating as the restaurant has a drive thru).

The three tenants have (and I'm guessing here) HH income of $50,000 or so for two of them, and over $100,000 for the third, the commercial tenants total income for all their business is a quarter of a billion per year.

One of them is not paying.

The commercial tenant.

I'm 100 percent convinced he's using the crisis to IMPROVE his margins.

The residential tenants ALL are paying less than 1/4 of their gross income on rent.

The commercial tenant far less as a percentage.

 

[Maddevill]

My daughter pays half the rent, and her company is closed. I talked to the apartment manager and, after some delay, the owners of the property sent out a notice stating that if you have financial difficulties, arrangements can be made about the rent. I paid the full amount for April. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about May. And I suspect that if they delay rent or take a smaller payment, that when this is over, they will want full back rent. Understandable, but I doubt my daughter will get back pay. We'll see how this Paycheck Protection Plan helps.

Mad

 

[bojangle]

We have 4 rentals, three residential, (all still working), and one commercial, (still operating as the restaurant has a drive thru).

The three tenants have (and I'm guessing here) HH income of $50,000 or so for two of them, and over $100,000 for the third, the commercial tenants total income for all their business is a quarter of a billion per year.

One of them is not paying.

The commercial tenant.

I'm 100 percent convinced he's using the crisis to IMPROVE his margins.

The residential tenants ALL are paying less than 1/4 of their gross income on rent.

The commercial tenant far less as a percentage.

Well, I'm sure that's pre-rona income. I'm thinking restaurant income is way down. But yeah, I'm betting they can pay, and their lack of payment is likely hurting you more than it would hurt them to pay.

 

[GAJ]

Well, I'm sure that's pre-rona income. I'm thinking restaurant income is way down. But yeah, I'm betting they can pay, and their lack of payment is likely hurting you more than it would hurt them to pay.

They are about 20 percent down from a high number and the guy bought that restaurant for pennies on the dollar from the last tenant who just decided they didn't want any restaurants in California at all a few years back.

Mind you the dummy poured, he claims, over half a million into remodeling it last year! :wtf

 

[Caddywumpus]

I did not pay rent. I have it set aside for when we come out of quarentine.

I still do not have my stimulus $ NOR unemployment if i even qualify for it. I should know about that tomorrow.

I plan on paying the rent fully at the end of the quarantine.

 

[250mL]

April 2020:
1 vacant (prior tenant saved enough to close on a house of her own, congrats!)
1 paid in full
1 pending Fri/Mon

I did not pay rent. I have it set aside for when we come out of quarentine.

I still do not have my stimulus $ NOR unemployment if i even qualify for it. I should know about that tomorrow.

I plan on paying the rent fully at the end of the quarantine.

Please consider giving your landlord at least a couple hundred bucks. I know for me, that amount would be enough to pay the water/sewer/garbage bill.

 

[Caddywumpus]

I pay the utilities. Also this is like the 4th generation to own my particular unit it was built in the 50s.

 

[250mL]

:thumbup
It was just a general statement to help keep everyone afloat during these times. All the best to you!

 

[Kornholio]

Please consider giving your landlord at least a couple hundred bucks. I know for me, that amount would be enough to pay the water/sewer/garbage bill.

How common is it for the landlord to pay that? I've never lived in anything but an apartment where I didn't pay for all the utilities on top of the rent and apartments typically don't have landlords but rather a management company. If you're paying for that stuff for a house/townhouse for your tenant, good on you! :thumbup

 

[250mL]

How common is it for the landlord to pay that? I've never lived in anything but an apartment where I didn't pay for all the utilities on top of the rent and apartments typically don't have landlords but rather a management company. If you're paying for that stuff for a house/townhouse for your tenant, good on you! :thumbup

Yes, the level of utilities cover by landlord vs. tenants varies by area. In my area, the landlord covers water/sewer/garbage; and tenant covers electricity/cable/internet. That was the reason and rationale for the suggestion.

Again, it was just a general statement to help keep heads above water during these times. Please adjust to your local situations. :thumbup

 

[Kornholio]

No worries, I was just paying you a compliment. :cool