Securing Your Lease
For as long as you can!
PART 2
Use information you have gathered from PART 1- Doing The Math and put it in a letter for your rental office.Â
Disclosure: I am not legal counsel by any means. The suggestions I share are common processes that most people, including myself, have used to help in situations where our lease could be affected through income loss. The difference is, I am attempting to make the process less daunting and stressful to address.
When providing your financial details, include the date you lost your job, your current income or any lost income, and specify your weekly contribution. Stick to this amount as long as possible while you continue your job search.
| Why this helps: By communicating with the leasing agency or agent in writing, you demonstrate your commitment to resolving the situation promptly and making weekly payments. This written communication serves as a record for any payment delays. If you opt for money orders, remember to keep the receipt stub for your records.
| Digital Download Template: Hardship Letter Example
If you have items at home that you can gather and sell (also read PART 3- Gathering Income Making Ideas) consider listing a few of those items in the letter.
In the letter, mention the value of those items and indicate that you have put them up for immediate sale. This could potentially help increase the weekly amount you plan to pay if those items are sold.
| Why this helps: Taking these steps can boost your ability to contribute a bit more towards the rent beyond your committed weekly amount. It also demonstrates your proactive efforts to get back on track with your lease agreement.
Apply to a few places now and note in the letter.
In your communication, mention the number of job applications you've already submitted and are waiting to hear back about interviews. If you're considering or working on a side business or gig, provide some details about the potential income it may generate.
|Why this helps: This demonstrates that you are actively seeking other job opportunities and considering the potential of a side gig to improve your situation. In other words, you're not just waiting for help or responses from potential employers; you are also taking initiative to create additional income for yourself.
What about rental assistance and other similar agencies?
You can also mention the agencies you've contacted or plan to contact for rental assistance or unemployment information, if relevant. If you haven't identified those places yet, simply state that you are currently reaching out to agencies and programs that provide rent assistance and will keep them updated on the application process.
|Why this helps: By including this information, they might suggest other resources that could assist you in your search. Some rental offices, in particular, may have connections to additional rental assistance resources. If you have a mortgage, the approach might vary, but the main idea of adding this to the letter remains the same. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to ask for guidance.
Mail this letter.
Date the letter, add a weekly rent payment and either mail it from the post office with a stamp or send it from home. Remember to keep a copy for your records.
|Why this helps: By sending the first letter this way, it gets officially stamped, and you receive a receipt. Many offices take the time to read metered mail and having a payment attached shows the accountability to honor the potential new arrangement, while you are transitioning. If mailing isn't feasible and dropping off the letter is more convenient, that's perfectly fine as well. Just remember to document the date and time that you do.
Send in occasional progress notes.
Whenever there is progress or a delay in any part of your plan, remember to update the rental office with a note for their records and invite them to call you if they need more clarification by leaving your contact number on the notes.
| Why this helps: The moment a rental office or agent accepts your form of payment along with your hardship letter and processes the payment towards your rent, this has now become an agreeable arrangement. If it comes to a court situation, having a fully documented communication trail, including receipts, shows everything you've been working on and shared with the rental office. This can be crucial in supporting your case.