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Why is renting so difficult
jillyflower
Posts: 106 Forumite
Hi I am in the process of moving back to my home town which is 500 miles from where I have been living for the past 4 years. I am looking for a job and somewhere to live with my 2 children aged 18 and 10.
My problem is that the letting agent I spoke to said that letting agencies won't look at you if you are recieving housing benefit and if you are working they will only let you rent a property that is no more than 40% of your wages not including any tax credits. I would need to be earning at least £18,000 a year to get a 3 bedroom house, or he said I would have to find 6 months rent in advance plus 2 months rent as a deposit which is out of the question ( i realise it is normal to take 2 months rent as deposit).
My question is:- is this normal, and if so how do people on a normal wage get rented accomdation, or did I speak to a particularly difficult agent.
He also said my only hope was to go on the council waiting list but he said that could take years.
Sorry this is a bit long, but any help or advise would be greatfully recieved.
thanks
My problem is that the letting agent I spoke to said that letting agencies won't look at you if you are recieving housing benefit and if you are working they will only let you rent a property that is no more than 40% of your wages not including any tax credits. I would need to be earning at least £18,000 a year to get a 3 bedroom house, or he said I would have to find 6 months rent in advance plus 2 months rent as a deposit which is out of the question ( i realise it is normal to take 2 months rent as deposit).
My question is:- is this normal, and if so how do people on a normal wage get rented accomdation, or did I speak to a particularly difficult agent.
He also said my only hope was to go on the council waiting list but he said that could take years.
Sorry this is a bit long, but any help or advise would be greatfully recieved.
thanks
0
Comments
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That does all sound normal for agents. You would need to find a private landlord that doesn't have those rules in place.
No, it's not easy.
Try http://gumtree.com and the local classifieds - you can probably get the local newspapers online and they will have property to let through private landlords too.0 -
I might be wrong but I always thought it was the LL that determined whether a property would take HB not the LA.
As regards 3 beds being too expensive, if the two children (18 isn't really a child but I know what you mean) are the same sex could they not share a bedroom for the time being?0 -
ask your council for a list of accredited landlords - many of them will take benefit tenants and their properties are usually in good nick0
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