Coronavirus: email to send to your tenants

Coronavirus: email to send to your tenants

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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Peoria, IL · Member since 2013 · 967 posts · 383 votes
6y

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. 

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  • Investor · Fox Island, WA · Member since 2014 · 11 posts · 14 votes
    6y

    I am not sure how things work in Canada but here in the US there are lots of logistical problems getting money into the hands of people quickly. Except for unemployment insurance getting the bailout money to  people that need it may take more time than anticipated.

  • Member since 2017 · 66 posts · 91 votes
    6y

    This is the letter you need to send not to your tenant but to your representative.

    Dear President/Govenor/Senator/Congressman/HUD Secretary/Govenor (You Fill in the blank)

    Thank you for all that you are doing to help citizens and businesses affected by COVID-19.

    As you are aware, Landlords provide a vital service to many millions of American. We provide safe and affordable housing to citizens who can't afford to purchase homes themselves.

    Second only to to food, shelter is important as a basic need that no American should live without.

    This is why I am writing to you to ask for help in the implementation of emergency changes to the Federal Housing and Urban Renewal Section 8 program.

    As a landlord I propose the following:

    The qualification for Section 8 should be opened to all unemployed American receiving unemployment benefits.

    All Landlords who file a IRS Schedule E are eligible to receive benefits based on properties listed on their Schedule E for 2018 or for any 2019 tax return filed.

    Section 8 will waive the home inspection and Landlord requirements for the participants in this emergency program and will not remove the traditional application process for those seeking to participate in the Section 8 program. Section 8 will only provide payments while the citizen is receiving unemployment insurance.

    This emergency program requirements are easily verified for participates through the unemployment insurance offices and the Internal Revenue Service.

    The program limits payments only for the rent amount. At the end of the year the citizen receiving benefits will receive a 1099-MISC for rent paid subject to their tax bracket.

    The Landlord will receive a 1099-MISC which they will file with their Schedule E as rent received. This will not require any tax difficulty for the landlord and is subject to depreciation and valid deductible property expenses.

    This provides benefits to two segments of the population simultaneously, efficiently, and seamlessly.

    Housing and Urban Development is the correct office to manage this program and provide rapid relief to the people who need it the most.

    I can be reached for further questions at.........

    Thank you,

    J.Q. Landlord

    Learn more here

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

  • Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 292 posts · 233 votes
    6y

    And here we go... 

    Everyone ready for the most roller coaster month we've likely ever lived through?   

    Best of luck to everyone in their business and tenant day to day operations!

  • Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 292 posts · 233 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Alan DeRossett:

    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.

    You're spot on with SOME people will do the right thing and pay rent/ bills.  Will prioritize keeping a roof over their head rather than spending $50 on take out food every night and buying more and more stuff online. 

    But we live in a consumer driven world... spenders gonna spend.  Here comes that new iPad and TV w/  $1,200 free " Uncle Sam Bucks"

  • Rental Property Investor · Ottawa, ON · Member since 2019 · 68 posts · 225 votes
    6y

    Just thought I’d follow up on this original post: We got each one of our rents yesterday! Most we even got several days early. Every time we got a rent from someone we contacted them individually asking how they were and everyone said they appreciated that we reached out initially and again just now. I still think we did the right thing and I’m happy we sent the original letter and kept communication open. May will be the ultimate test for sure but we’re on the right track at least! Cheers 

  • Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 107 posts · 19 votes
    6y

    @Kris Bucci would appreciate if you can share the letter your sent out for option 3. Thanks

  • Ian WalshBusiness Member
    Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    It is a good idea to get in front of the situation for sure.

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