Would I be mad to buy?

Neotoma

Cheers. I think you're probably right about renting - I've managed to locate a few suitable properties that aren't too madly priced, and am starting viewing tomorrow.

Let's hope there is a rat-appreciating landlord out there somewhere! (yes, they are the pet kind, they live in a cage, carry no diseases at all, and on the destruction index they are considerably less of a risk to fixtures and fittings than dogs, cats, children, or people who have had too much wine... )

Btw, to what degree should I be haggling over rental prices?

before_hollywood

some places are like 'no pets at all' and getting a fish tank and half a dozen goldfish would be a no no :eek:

mlz1413

when you ask about keeping the rats ask about keeping caged animals such as hamsters and gerbils - these words don't bring the panic that rat brings.

It does depend on the place, some flats have clauses about no animals so it may not all the LA or LL.

t1gger

aww I love rats! Well I used to but they kept dying.

With regards to haggling on rents, we recently moved into a new place and haggled the price down about 15%. I think it helped when we said we'd sign the lease that day, as the property was vacant.

We had already tried to lower the price on 2 other places but the offers were rejected and we didn't up them (places weren't nice enough). We probably would have paid the full price for this place as it's so nice. Funny how things work out.

jenny74

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I think you are be right to think about buying now, it takes a while to find what you want after all. I would also hate to be you neighbour (the rats, no other reason).

For goodness sake, why? Domestic rats are not the same as the disease carrying vermin that live in our sewers. Domestic rats are tame, and are like keeping mice or gerbils, only a little bigger. A friend of mine has pet (caged) rats (in a rented house) with no problems at all.

If you were neighbour of someone with rats, you wouldn't even know that they had them (unless you were told).

Thrugelmir

Also bear in mind that buying and selling property incurs considerable costs and hassle. So purchasing for a relatively short period makes little sense.

cupid_s

I'm planning on renting my house out and I'd have no problems renting to someone with rats. We have a cat and have found lots of places willing to accept these and they're likely to cause more damage than rats would(though sometimes with additional deposit in case they cause damage). It's really not as difficult as you would think. And maybe offering an additional deposit 'just in case' might help.