Coronavirus: email to send to your tenants

General Landlording & Rental Properties

Coronavirus: email to send to your tenants

Natalie Cloutier

Rental Property Investor · Ottawa, ON · Member since 2019 · 68 posts · 225 votes

I got a lot of questions on my Instagram yesterday about the email we wrote to our tenants addressing this outbreak so I decided to include the letter we wrote here in case it helps anybody :) I think a lot of landlords are struggling with coming up with the right words to explain how they’re willing to help but not to take advantage of them at the same time lol

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NOTE: this is a Canadian version so you’ll have to edit it for the US.

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Hello,

We have been continuing to monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19. We are sending an email to all our tenants to address any job layoffs or lack of funds caused by this outbreak.

We understand these are unprecedented times and that a lot of people may be confused and uncertain, especially when thinking of their financial stability. If you are experiencing financial issues due to this situation, we recommend staying up to date with the several government programs offering financial aid to those in need and to apply as soon as they become available.

If you are directly affected by the COVID-19 because you are sick or quarantined and you have not yet applied for EI benefits, please submit your application as soon as possible. We've included the link for more information: (link)

If you are still worried of not being able to pay next month's rent or any future rents and have exhausted all your options through borrowing from family members or other, we ask that you please send us an email prior to the rent's due date explaining your situation along with proper documentation. At that point we will assess and come up with a plan together.

In the meantime, we would also like to inform you that due to isolation requirements, any maintenance request will need to be postponed until further notice, unless of a major issue.

We want to sincerely thank those who are working hard within the essential services of our community and to all others who are staying home to help avoid the spread.

Our best wishes to you and your families.

Rob & Nat

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Most Popular Reply

Peoria, IL · Member since 2013 · 967 posts · 383 votes

I probably need to think of a response. But I'm gonna wait for them to come to me.

vs. me communicating to tenants i guess you might not have my rent.

See this reply in the discussion

160 Replies

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Jim Brothers
London Ontario, Canada · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 0 votes
6y
Yes, Alexandra we are all human and I think for the most part we are all trying. None of us really know what the extent of or duration of this event. Maybe this is a good thing for us all to stop and really look at what is going on what we are doing to each other and our planet we are not going to get another chance or get a get out of jail free pass on this one

0 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Greg M.:

Nothing personal but you come off as sounding kind of entitled, as though you feel you deserve an award for being frugal and responsible with your money. So here, this is me giving you a golf clap for all your hard work and sacrifice, for living below your means, for walking to work, uphill both ways, in the freezing cold. (insert polite clapping sounds)

I'm sure it must be frustrating that the majority of the world isn't as smart, talented and good with their money as you are, and maybe they need to start being more like you, dammit, so that the next time the world gets blindsided by a virus, the economy melts down and people lose their jobs overnight, they can just keep on paying their rent so honest folks like you aren't affected. Because you worked hard for this and you deserve better. G*d dammit.

Excuse my snark, but seriously, just because a tenant doesn't have a savings cushion doesn't mean they are irresponsible. Lots of people live this way because things are very expensive here in the US. Or maybe someone is in a transition and building up. After my divorce, my ex wife left me with $40,000 in credit card debt. I didn't have a pot to piss in. But I built back up. If this had happened to me back then I'd be one of those people who didn't have a savings. Most people are in this boat.  By the time the average person pays for rent, groceries, medical insurance, car payment, etc. there is usually very little left. I agree in principle that this is a bad way to live but it is reality. It does not mean they are somehow bad people or irresponsible. That's just you being judgmental.

This week there were over 3 million unemployment claims made. It's possible that before this is all over there could be as many as 40 million Americans out of work. Better hope and pray that doesn't happen, because if it does get as bad as some think it will, you can forget about whatever you feel your hard work and sacrifice entitles you to. If people can't work they can't pay for things like rent, food, medicine, and other basic staples of life. That rental property you own could very well sit there completely vacant for months. Or you may end up having to lease at rock bottom prices just to get someone in there. It sucks, but it's just reality.

Right now this situation is a big ol' sh!t sandwich and we are all going to have to take a bite. Try to have some understanding and compassion for people in the meantime, and maybe someone will show you some in return.
Remember, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
3 Reply
Dan White
Investor · Fox Island, WA · Member since 2014 · 11 posts · 14 votes
6y
With the bail out money coming soon most tenants will be better off than they were. April rent will be delayed for some, I plan to waive all late fees, take partial payments until their bailout money arrives later in the month. For landlords I thing we are going to be OK. Taking a look at those $138 flights to Hawaii to help stimulate the economy later in the year.
1 Reply
Terry Dotson
Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 3 votes
6y
Well said Steven
0 Reply
Kris Bucci
Developer · Victoria, BC · Member since 2018 · 115 posts · 73 votes
6y
Dan what are these Hawaii flights you speak of 😛

Originally posted by @Dan White:
With the bail out money coming soon most tenants will be better off than they were. April rent will be delayed for some, I plan to waive all late fees, take partial payments until their bailout money arrives later in the month. For landlords I thing we are going to be OK. Taking a look at those $138 flights to Hawaii to help stimulate the economy later in the year.

0 Reply
Ryan Myers
Flipper/Rehabber · saskatoon, saskatchewan · Member since 2015 · 32 posts · 4 votes
6y
what's the "proper documentation" that you mention?
0 Reply
Dan White
Investor · Fox Island, WA · Member since 2014 · 11 posts · 14 votes
6y
I checked Southwest Air Seattle to anywhere in Hawaii, pull up the low fair calendar.
I paid over $1100 in February on Alaska during President's week.
0 Reply
Edison Dunn
Real Estate Investor · Snellville , GA · Member since 2011 · 2 posts · 0 votes
6y
Yes going through an eviction way before the Covid situation now there is a 60 day moratorium really sucks.
0 Reply
Aly W.
Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
One of our tenants called me yesterday - not to say he's out of work (yet), but to see how my husband and I were doing. We are close to most of our tenants, and this one in particular. We've worked with him through job losses and temporary disability. We hope he never wants to move. We know he'll always pay what he can, and he knows we wouldn't take any action due to a temporary situation. Thankfully, we are fully rented with good tenants. I reached out by text to all of them today, and they thanked me for checking up on them. So far, they are all either working from home, or able to go to work. We're not worried about April's rent. May, as it's been said, will be the challenge. We have no plans to file evictions or charge late fees, as long as the tenants in good faith try to pay something. If they can't, if it comes to that, I will ask our banks and condo associations about doing the same thing - taking partial payments or suspending them temporarily.
As for borrowing rent money from relatives, friends, etc., I can only imagine everyone is in, or will be in, the same boat. I really feel for those with difficult tenants, because this will certainly become a nightmare.
0 Reply
Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Alexandra King:
The nurses, gardeners, clerks, artists and teachers you claim are losers, living paycheck-to-paycheck, not saving - pay your rent and so help you acquire the wealth you are achieving now as an investor. Many of them cannot save money because it all goes to the rent their landlady/lord is charging them. Be grateful for them not disdainful.
Being a successful investor does not mean you have to lose your soul, Greg. This is a pandemic - the type of event that brings out the best in humanity - if one is human to begin with:) Alexandra, Real Estate agent, artist, republican and hard working tenant.

Alexandra, never once did I call anyone a loser based on their job or income level. I have great respect for those who bust their butts every day to do thankless jobs at minimal wages. Many of these people I consider friends.
It's the idea that most people cannot save any money that is infuriating. By repeating this fallacy over and over it gains legitimacy. Very few people, the truly poor / those in poverty, can't save anything. Everyone else could put away a small amount. If a person put away $20 per paycheck since the last major economic event, the Great Recession of 2007-2009, they'd have over $5,100 in savings. Does anyone really believe that of the 69% of Americans who has less than $1,000 in savings, none could scrape together $20 per paycheck to save? That $5K would have covered many people for 2-3 months during this crisis.
1 Reply
Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Steven Lowe:
Originally posted by @Greg M.:

Nothing personal but you come off as sounding kind of entitled, as though you feel you deserve an award for being frugal and responsible with your money. So here, this is me giving you a golf clap for all your hard work and sacrifice, for living below your means, for walking to work, uphill both ways, in the freezing cold. (insert polite clapping sounds)

I'm sure it must be frustrating that the majority of the world isn't as smart, talented and good with their money as you are, and maybe they need to start being more like you, dammit, so that the next time the world gets blindsided by a virus, the economy melts down and people lose their jobs overnight, they can just keep on paying their rent so honest folks like you aren't affected. Because you worked hard for this and you deserve better. G*d dammit.

Excuse my snark, but seriously, just because a tenant doesn't have a savings cushion doesn't mean they are irresponsible. Lots of people live this way because things are very expensive here in the US. Or maybe someone is in a transition and building up. After my divorce, my ex wife left me with $40,000 in credit card debt. I didn't have a pot to piss in. But I built back up. If this had happened to me back then I'd be one of those people who didn't have a savings. Most people are in this boat.  By the time the average person pays for rent, groceries, medical insurance, car payment, etc. there is usually very little left. I agree in principle that this is a bad way to live but it is reality. It does not mean they are somehow bad people or irresponsible. That's just you being judgmental.

This week there were over 3 million unemployment claims made. It's possible that before this is all over there could be as many as 40 million Americans out of work. Better hope and pray that doesn't happen, because if it does get as bad as some think it will, you can forget about whatever you feel your hard work and sacrifice entitles you to. If people can't work they can't pay for things like rent, food, medicine, and other basic staples of life. That rental property you own could very well sit there completely vacant for months. Or you may end up having to lease at rock bottom prices just to get someone in there. It sucks, but it's just reality.

Right now this situation is a big ol' sh!t sandwich and we are all going to have to take a bite. Try to have some understanding and compassion for people in the meantime, and maybe someone will show you some in return.
Remember, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

Steven, I absolutely don't feel entitled to anything other than what I worked for. What appears to be upsetting to some people is that there are a lot of us that feel others are not entitled to anything other than what they worked for. They especially aren't entitled to my things I worked for just because they were ill-prepared and now down on their luck.
The fact that so many people don't have savings to get them through a crisis is just one part to their whole entitled attitude. Basically, others will take care of me. That's the opposite of "we are all in this together".
If you truly believe that "we are all in this together", then ask yourself how many posts have you read that said: Tenant contacted me and is out of work. They are unable to pay Aprils rent. They want to know if I will forgive it?
Have you seen a single post that said: Tenant contacted me and is out of work. They are unable to pay Aprils rent. Want to know if they can shovel snow at all my properties, clean my home, mow my lawn, and walk my dog in exchange for a break on rent. Tenant says they will do whatever odd job I need done until they go back to work.
Do you recall any posts like that? Most people seem to be treating this as a vacation. Somebody will pay my rent for me or the landlord will eat it. Not my problem...
1 Reply
Brian Rhodes
Rehabber · Glen Allen, VA · Member since 2010 · 49 posts · 18 votes
6y
We think being proactive and reaching out to our tenants makes the most sense. Many of them are hurting right now. In our communications to the tenants we are trying to put as many resources as we can find that can help them. We came across a site at https://findhelp.org/

This website is zip code specific and offers helps not only with housing but also with food, transit, health and many other things.
2 Reply
Steven Lowe
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 448 posts · 320 votes
6y

What is very clear to me is you see your tenants as a paycheck, not people, and multifamily ownership is primarily a people business. That's what I am mostly taking issue with. I am in no way begrudging you from earning a living or collecting rents which are owed to you.
0 Reply
Denise McWhorter
Member since 2019 · 3 posts · 1 vote
6y
@Natalie Cloutier I sent info from the CDC and Public Health Department. This week I sent FAQs and one of them was “Should I pay April rent?” Of course the answer was YES! But I also listed options which included federal and state programs, credit cards and other alternatives.
0 Reply
Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Steven Lowe:
What is very clear to me is you see your tenants as a paycheck, not people, and multifamily ownership is primarily a people business.

Landlord and tenant have a contract. Tenant is entitled to the unit and landlord is entitled to the rent. Pretty simple. Reverse the situation, times are tough for the landlord. Should the landlord call the tenant and ask for more money? Perhaps the landlord should just rent out the living room couch in the unit. I hope the existing tenant doesn't feel entitled to the entire place just because that was the original agreement.
I'm sorry you consider honest hard work as menial jobs. You clearly missed the point. Time are tough and people can't meet their obligations. I'm asking why none of these people are stepping up and asking to do whatever they can to help meet those obligations. You'd prefer to have everyone form a line to the left to give charity to the person who doesn't want to take work that is beneath them. I have zero respect for people who ask for hand outs instead of hand ups.
And yes, my tenants are a paycheck. Do you think tenants view the landlord as a person or a business? You think the car dealer views me as a person or a paycheck? The bank, grocery store, gas station, restaurant, etc? This is a business. We sell a product. I sell housing. Someone else sells razors. Another person sells gas. It's all business. The people who don't treat it as a business are the first ones to be flushed out when times get tough.
1 Reply
Kevin Hansen
Homeowner · Kihei · Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 1 vote
6y
I sent a text to my tenants to make clear that my right to evict them had been suspended, not their obligation to pay rent. And that if they elected to not pay rent they would in fact be evicted when legal. The ultra rich bankers have little to no mercy on the mortgagee, a tenant has much less skin in the game than does the landlord. I will compromise for the benefit of all but I believe in win win. If government was offering to pay mortgages and not just advising to seek forbearance, then hey no worries. This event will absolutely go down in history and my hope is that we are at or near the bottom but no matter what the outcome, finding joy in circumstance will prevail.
0 Reply
Tomer Versano
Investor · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 8 votes
6y
Great letter and suggestion. Thanks fo sharing!
1 Reply
Stephanie Jones
Property Manager · Memphis, TN · Member since 2020 · 80 posts · 32 votes
6y
Stay objective. Provide facts and alternative ways for tenants to continue to pay on time while minimizing personal contact. Let them know you are a resource, but also a business that expects they fulfill their obligations. You can be a partner while setting realistic expectations and maintaining communication.
0 Reply
Jason Monroe
Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2016 · 89 posts · 50 votes
6y
I was one the very first people on biggerpockets to post about COVID / Coronavirus back on March 6 and I brought up the point.
When owners / buyers underwrite deals from here out you need to include epidemic / pandemic as part of your underwriting so that you increase the "what if fund" which would typically be through raising the vacancy some percentage points for the city, and asset class you're looking at.

@Maurice Selva sort of eluded to the point. If a tenant can't pay and the owner / landlord wants to seek legal action against them. IF your city hasn't posed a moratorium on evictions then you're likely going to need to wait a while to be seen by a judge anyway so you aren't going to get relief that way especially not quickly.
Getting a tenant to pay backed rent is going to be like trying to fill a below ground pool with a dixie cup. If you're diligent and have a LOT of time, and a lot of cups (wax paper cups wear out) then it's certainly possible.
Some of you silly people seem to expect if a tenant pays 1k a month rent they somehow are going to be able to catch you up in 3 or 4 months. I would imagine they might catch up in 10+ months and if they move good luck.
The reality is that if a tenant can't pay and they are near market rate that money is GONE. The lease will likely expire before you'll see all your money and then you'll have to settle with a bill collector to see any of that backed rent. If they are below market it could be a device (read leverage) to help give them an incentive to leave.
I wish you all good luck and hope you're not stuck but Mike Swan

https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/mikeswan1234567
who about a year ago said he was hording cash and others in that situation might be down to buy your building.
Most of my tenants are voucher based, but I appreciate your concern.

0 Reply
Dan White
Investor · Fox Island, WA · Member since 2014 · 11 posts · 14 votes
6y
Jason you are totally right about the prospect of collecting back rent, forget about it.
However expect announcements from various state governments to offer rental assistance, in the state of Washington the coalition of housing providers (several statewide associations) have been working with the governors' office to roll out such a plan. I expect there will be a lot of news about tenant assistance as the first approaches, stay tuned.
0 Reply
Account Closed
Rental Property Investor · Port Coquitlam, BC · Member since 2017 · 520 posts · 527 votes
6y
Originally posted by @Jay C.:

In the old days and still holds true power is in silence.

This is the same advice provided to me by the PM for my largest MF properties. We are developing a communication plan for tenants that don't pay April rent but, for now, the best advice is to let silence guide the interaction. I appreciate that this advice may not be the best if you have a tenant living in your basement or if you are the face of the building, but for larger properties, being conciliatory up-front will likely backfire.

1 Reply
Lois S.
Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes
6y
The City Council just passed an Oakland Eviction Moratorium. The State ordinance states that residents can defend against eviction in an unlawful detainer if their rent debt accrued during and because of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to remain unpaid “because of a substantial reduction in household income or substantial increases in expenses.”
Under Oakland’s ordinance, even if residents can’t pay rent due from now until May 31 for months or years into the future, they still can’t be evicted for non-payment of that back rent if their non-payment is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlawful detainer cases have already been suspended statewide until May state-wide.

Comments?
1 Reply
Alan DeRossett
Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
6y
We will have another two months of shutdowns In California, Most tenants will get $1200 per adult one of our tenants will get $3900 since its two adults with 3 kids. We will at least get Aprils rent from most and some will buy new cars or TVs. if we ever did want someone to move under the statewide eviction ban We would offer to pay them to leave. Another $1200 would be accepted by most tenants if desperate. and Paying them to leave is Cheaper than hiring a lawyer and losing 6 months' rent.

2 Reply
Melanie Dupuis
Investor · North Bay, Ontario · Member since 2019 · 221 posts · 99 votes
6y
Here in Canada, the Federal government will be issuing $2000/month to people in need. This should help tenants pay their rent.
0 Reply
Kris Bucci
Developer · Victoria, BC · Member since 2018 · 115 posts · 73 votes
6y
I think from the tone of the governments in Canada if this keeps going and the need is there the governments will do more. BC added $500 a month paid directly to landlord, and said it could rise if needed. But between the 75% wage coverage for small business, $2000 monthly from feds and $500 monthly from B.C., I’m pretty sure my tenants will be fine. As long as they can pay most of the rent each month, happy to defer a portion if needed.
0 Reply

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