What is the payment timeline for lawful damages and unpaid rent?

The payment deadline depends on how tenants respond to your end of tenancy charges. We've outlined a few examples below to explain; however, every case has its own unique circumstances and outcome.

Example 1: Tenant accepts end of tenancy charge

• The red dot represents the point at which the agent submits their end of tenancy charge (so here, it’s £100)
• The tenants in this example accept the end of tenancy charge and pay four days later
• The landlord should receive payment in full within 24-48 hours of us receiving the tenants’ payment – happy days.

Example 2: Tenant sends counter offer

• The red dot represents the point at which the agent submits their end of tenancy charge (in this instance, of £100)
• Two days later, the tenants submit a counter offer of £50 
• Two days later, on day 4 after the initial end of tenancy charge, the agent accepts the tenant's counter offer and the tenants pay
• The landlord receives payment in full within 24-48 hours of the tenants settling the charges.

Example 3: Tenants don't respond and end of tenancy charge is purchased by and assigned to flatfair 

• The red dot represents the point at which the agent submits their end of tenancy charge (in this instance, of £100)
• By the tenth day, the tenants still haven't responded
• flatfair may automatically charge the £100 if there is sufficient evidence to support the charges
• On day 20, payment is unsuccessful, flatfair decides to offer to purchase the end of tenancy charge from the landlord and the landlord assigns the charge to flatfair
• On day 30 after the end of tenancy charge is made, the landlord is paid in full.

Example 4: Tenant raises a dispute and end of tenancy charge is purchased by and assigned to flatfair

• The red dot represents the point at which the agent submits their end of tenancy charge (in this instance, of £100)
• On day 10 after the end of tenancy charge is made, the independent adjudicator determines the case in the landlord's favour (please note that adjudication decisions can take up to 28 days to be returned)
• The tenants are invoiced for the £100 but fail to pay within the 5-day timeframe
• On day 20, flatfair decides to offer to purchase the end of tenancy charge from the landlord (subject to our discretionary model) and the landlord assigns the charge to flatfair
• On day 30, after the landlord has signed the offer, flatfair makes full payment to the landlord.

If there's another example you'd like to discuss, feel free to contact us at support@flatfair.co.uk