Advice-to manage a good tenant with a speed bump due to COVID 19

[Amanda W.]

Good morning - posting this as I'm sure many of you are experiencing this -

-Great tenant in Philadelphia - in home since 2015 - 100% payment with no gaps in 5 years, home in great shape, rent $1,000 month.

-Rent due on 4/1

-Tenant texts me on 3/30 asking whether there are any "adjustments on rent"

-I sent her an email with the suggested letter on Bigger Pockets, with resources to help her pay rent, and requested she provide what she can pay and for letter from her employer proving she is impacted.

-I got a letter from her employer on 3/31, saying she is employed but hours have been reduced.  I called the manager who verified the info in the letter.   The tenant works as a mobile specialist at a cell phone store for a major carrier.  

-My partner knows someone in HR at this cell phone company who shared that employees were still being paid at base salary but without commission and they suspect the tenant is being dishonest

-Tenant responded on 3/31 she can pay $300.  It's April 3, I still haven't received payment or see one starting (I use Cozy)

How would you manage?  

I am thinking of a rent deferral plan but not sure how to structure it - I don't want to be "out of the money" more than my last month rent collected ($1000).  

Tenant is on a month to month lease.

[Marcus Auerbach]

Agree with Nathan! Emotionas will come down in the next weeks, on both sides. I would emphatize, offer alternatives, maybe half rent and the rest deferred etc, but still serve a 5 day notice to protect your rights.