Updating post from Reddit.

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QUESTION
Posted by Numerous_Exercise_44 2 weeks ago
Tenant can't write English

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.

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Posted by Justsomerandomguy35 2 weeks ago

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

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Posted by Sea_Arm_4338 1 week ago

I would avoid personally, I have no issues with having a foreign tenant however I basic understanding of each other is bare minimum

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Posted by soprofesh 1 week ago

How and why are they in the country? 

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Posted by Anxious-Guarantee-12 1 week ago

For example. Some of them are from EU and settled in UK before Brexit.

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Posted by Sburns85 1 week ago

Most eu residents can speak and write in English. Or are happy to learn

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Posted by KeyJunket1175 1 week ago

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.

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Posted by Anxious-Guarantee-12 1 week ago

Well, I already know a couple of countercases. 

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Posted by Sburns85 1 week ago

Never said every single one. But the majority know

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Posted by Anxious-Guarantee-12 1 week ago

So the majority of non-eu too.

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Posted by Sburns85 1 week ago

What are you on about

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Posted by morewhitenoise 1 week ago

This would disqualify them for me. No thanks.

Imagine dealing with any complicated issue down the line involving paperwork? Why bother.

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Posted by fvckdirk 1 week ago

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.

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Posted by KimonoCathy 2 weeks ago

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.

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Posted by dainsfield 1 week ago

They must understand the tenancy agreement or you are in trouble. Also they need a right to stay number from the home office

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Posted by Agitated-Nail-8414 1 week ago

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.

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Posted by PoutineRoutine46 1 week ago

LOL you get the tenant you deserve

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Posted by Big_Swordfish183 1 week ago

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.

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Posted by Saliiim 1 week ago

Definitely avoid this.  I've had it with commercial rentals and it was a nightmare.

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Posted by No-Tea-5782 1 week ago

Don't

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