New service to help provide proof for rent arrears evictions

PayProp has added a new communications log feature that will make it easier for agents to gather evidence for arrears cases after changes in the Renters (Reform) Bill removed Section 21 eviction notices.

The new feature records every email sent from the platform, including automated tenant invoices, direct debit confirmations, payment receipts, arrears reminders and tenant statements.

EMAIL DETAILS

The log shows a copy of the email, whether it could be delivered to the recipient’s inbox, whether it was opened, when and how many times.

Financial information held on the platform reflects the money held in the agency client account, which means the figures in client emails are always correct at the time of sending.

As a result, the information in the new communications log, combined with information held in PayProp’s existing audit log, gives letting agencies a complete picture of a tenant’s indebtedness and response to rental invoices and arrears reminders. This data can then be used as evidence if a court case is necessary to recover unpaid rent.

EVICTION CHANGES

Neil Cobbold (main picture), Managing Director of PayProp UK, says: “We know agents and landlords are worried about the impact of eviction changes in the Renters (Reform) Bill, as it will almost certainly lead to more agents supporting landlords in eviction court cases.

“Armed with the new communications log along with our existing audit log and suite of reports, agencies will be able to clearly demonstrate to a tenant when they were asked to pay the rent, when they opened the email, how much they needed to pay, when payment reminders were sent, and how much rent was paid.”

And he adds: “The hope is, with this weight of evidence, PayProp-powered agencies can help their landlords avoid going to court for arrears evictions.”