Landlords are calling for clarification to the Government's position on tenants paying rent during the coronavirus outbreak.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said some tenants believe lenders have given landlords a three-month mortgage payment holiday.

Landlords claim an increasing number of tenants are under the impression they no longer have to pay rent during this period.

The group said residential landlords can show flexibility when tenants are struggling to pay their rent due to the effects of COVID-19.

It also suggested landlords offer a temporary three-month holiday for the hardest-hit tenants, assuming a mutual agreement could be reached.

Some tenants have reportedly interpreted this optional three-month deferral as a green light to stop payments entirely.

As such, the NRLA wants the Government to dispel any myths and confirm that tenants must meet their obligations to pay rent where possible.

Ben Beadle, chief executive at the NRLA, said:

"The mortgage repayment holiday is only available for landlords who are struggling to make their payments because their tenants are unable to pay part or all of their rent as a direct result of the coronavirus and through no fault of their own.

"It is not an automatic payment holiday and landlords who successfully apply still have to make these payments later on. It is not a grant."

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