Updating post from Reddit.
Posible new tenant. I was wondering if anyone has experience of a English speaking but not first language tenant, who can't write in English so written communication would be by a 3rd party known to the tenant.
Most of my communications are normaly written as it avoids misunderstandings.
My first though is this would be to difficult. To communicate emergencys, or rent rises, or, tradespeople dealings, or notices. Plus if the tenant can't read a contract but signs it and for some reason if I had to take the tenant to court it might go against me because I let a tenant sign a contract she couldn't read.
I would be interested in your views.
It’s a nightmare - I’ve had foreign tenants in before. All vetted etc. but they need a lot of hand holding. Don’t understand instructions for boiler/appliances. Dont understand how utilities work etc. like with all they can be house proud/treat place like a dump but it’s the basics of living in the place can become like a job for you and an extra headache for which you get no thanks.
I do have one tenant whose first language isn’t English but he’s been here a while - by and large ok.
Also how are they earning? If English is poor then be mindful of them falling behind on rent as find they tend to be in unskilled work. Not that overseas students can be less of a minefield. Lack of guarantor can also be an issue
I would avoid personally, I have no issues with having a foreign tenant however I basic understanding of each other is bare minimum
How and why are they in the country?
For example. Some of them are from EU and settled in UK before Brexit.
Most eu residents can speak and write in English. Or are happy to learn
Many people came to the UK from my country before Brexit to work as cleaners, dishwashers etc. Usually employed by a middleman, that organised accommodation, commute, work and all for them. As a result they never learnt a word of English, one because those people were not the smartest to begin with and two, because they continued living in micro communities that spoke their native language. No exposure to English.
Most of them moved home after saving enough money or come Brexit, some of them settled.
Well, I already know a couple of countercases.
Never said every single one. But the majority know
So the majority of non-eu too.
What are you on about
This would disqualify them for me. No thanks.
Imagine dealing with any complicated issue down the line involving paperwork? Why bother.
Nightmare. They use Google translate to explain maintenance requests which often get lost in translation. Don't understand how various things work and can't talk on the phone. Definitely more work for the landlord. Would avoid if you have an alternative.
Yep, had this. Fortunately they knew someone who could help interpret for them in an emergency, and I tried to go round rather than call for more complicated things so we could e.g. explain how the boiler worked face to face. (They were always happy to see us without 24 hours notice if it was to fix something.) These days it takes two seconds on a smartphone or computer to translate almost anything so unless they speak an obscure language you should be able to communicate reasonably well in writing.
They must understand the tenancy agreement or you are in trouble. Also they need a right to stay number from the home office
Not a landlord but a fellow resident who got involved helping with a non-English speaker in the building as she was a vulnerable lady.
Pls don’t do it. Doing everything via google translate is exhausting and open to errors.
LOL you get the tenant you deserve
You could suggest to your tenant to use ChatGPT for communication. They can write messages in their native language and then translate them into English using ChatGPT.
As a non-native English speaker, I’ve found ChatGPT incredibly helpful for crafting clear and professional messages. It’s a simple way to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective communication.
Even this message was written by me and then refined with ChatGPT! Sharing this tip with your tenant might make things much easier for both of you.
Definitely avoid this. I've had it with commercial rentals and it was a nightmare.
Don't