Housing Dilemma

Panners_2

Hello everbody,

Been reading these pages for quite some time, although this is my first attempt at a post.

My dilemma is as follows:

I recently split from my girlfriend and now have to find alternative accommodation - we rented together. I'm self employed, work within the automotive and aero industries, and unfortunately, as is the case with many of us, work has now dried up.

I've always been a person who plans for a rainy day, even before the internet and money saving expert came along!, and as such if I had a mortgage of my own, I wouldn't really worry about being out of work for a considerable amount of time, which leads me to my point - I'm having difficulty getting prospective landlords to accept that I can indeed pay the rent they are asking, without difficulty.

I do not sign on when not working, and I do not like to be out of work and sitting around the house, I'd rather be out looking for something.

I'd appreciate very much advice on how to get round these narrow minded landlords, but I'd draw the line at showing them my bank balance as that is none of their business.

Thanks,

Steve.

blued

Offer to pay the rent for the initial term (6 months?) in advance? I'm assuming that you have enough to cover this?

Panners_2

I've been down that road, and so far have been met with flat refusals...

oldMcDonald

Panners wrote: »

I've been down that road, and so far have been met with flat refusals...

Really? Did they give a reason why? I would have thought that a landlord would be happy to take 6 months upfront rather than have a tenant move in and then maybe stop paying

Panners_2

oldMcDonald wrote: »

Really? Did they give a reason why? I would have thought that a landlord would be happy to take 6 months upfront rather than have a tenant move in and then maybe stop paying

Yes, really! They all seem to be reading the same page of the same book "Oh, I really need someone who is working..." or "I'm self employed too and I don't want someone in the house when I'm here..."

You're confused? Snap

blued

Panners wrote: »

"I'm self employed too and I don't want someone in the house when I'm here..."

You're confused? Snap

So are you looking to rent a room rather than a property? Somewhere with fixed bills? I could see this putting people off a bit. Maybe not so much during the summer months but during the winter there is the potential for a big increase in cost of bills with heating and electric being on when they normally wouldnt. My last lodger worked nights and while it was good to have the place to myself with the advantage of an income from a lodger I expect the heating bill to be a lot higher when it comes in this quarter! I think if I got a lodger in again and they were going to be home during the day I'd increase the rent slightly to cover the extra costs.

Robert_Sterling_3

Panners wrote: »

I'd appreciate very much advice on how to get round these narrow minded landlords, but I'd draw the line at showing them my bank balance as that is none of their business.

I would substitute "Prudent"

At first sight you appear to be without any income.

Panners_2

blued wrote: »

So are you looking to rent a room rather than a property? Somewhere with fixed bills? I could see this putting people off a bit. Maybe not so much during the summer months but during the winter there is the potential for a big increase in cost of bills with heating and electric being on when they normally wouldnt. My last lodger worked nights and while it was good to have the place to myself with the advantage of an income from a lodger I expect the heating bill to be a lot higher when it comes in this quarter! I think if I got a lodger in again and they were going to be home during the day I'd increase the rent slightly to cover the extra costs.

That's right, a room, but as I've already stated in an earlier post, I'm not the type to lounge around the house, and if people aren't happy to include bills in with the rent then they should specify that in their advertisements!

Extra costs during the day? Couple of cups of coffee perhaps?

Panners_2

So far, I have to say, most of the responses are not dealing with my initial question, rather how you'd feel if you had a prospective tenant yourselves.

I'd ask that you please keep on topic as I've heard enough from an owners point of view.

Thanks.

Panners_2

Robert_Sterling wrote: »

I would substitute "Prudent"

At first sight you appear to be without any income.

I'd still say narrow minded, as stated I have sufficient funds.

And supposing I were already renting then lost a job?