Forum - Can't afford full rent! : (

Can't afford full rent! : (

Thu, 24/06/2010 - 10:46 — vicki80

I am a partner in a small health food shop, we have struggled like most businesses for the last 2 - 3 years. Our rent is now due on Monday and there is no way we can afford the full amount (we pay more rent than all other shops on the same street). We asked for a meeting with our landlord last Tuesday to discuss rent in general but he didn't turn up. As he also owns the takeaway next door to our shop, we went round and spoke to one of his sons and basically told him what we could afford etc. Since then we have had another one of his sons in yesterday morning shouting and intimidating my mum who works at the shop on her own. We will take what we can afford to them on Monday but where do we stand with this kind of situation? Also what could be done if they carry on coming round demanding the rest of the money which we just don't have? We are stuck in the lease for the next six years but wondered where we stand being bullied/intimidated and also with the fact they haven't held their side of the lease (i.e. 2 years ago we told them we had to have the hot water fixed as there wasn't hot water coming into the shop, the answer we got was "I'll speak to the solicitor"....then never heard anything back!). It is very difficult to speak to the landlord himself as he is hardly ever around and doesn't speak much English so it is always one of the sons we have to deal with. Please help as my mum is now worried going to the shop every day.... : (