Is honesty the best policy?

alfiemama

I think I just need to vent so please bear with me. :mad::mad:

Me and hubby have found ourselves in neg equity and with hubbys work not paying aswell due to the credit crunch, we are struggling big time. We decided that rather than sink we would get out now and rent and sadly hand the keys back and pay less for somewhere (hoping this would be in our favour if we had to go br) also we are on interest only so renting anyway, as can never afford to go repayment.

I placed some ads on gumtree trying to find a private renter, and got some replies, being honest that I am I was up front with them and explained our situation but also explained that as there rent was over half as cheap it wouldnt be an issue, and guess what no replies. I even sent another explaining in depth.

Now what I would really like to do is email them back saying, that in life things are not always rosy, not always what you sign up for. When my son went to school we found out he has asd and dyspraxia and has fallen a lot ending up in A & E 5 times in a short space of time, which means I struggle work wise to find something to fit in with this, the countless appointments and my other 2.5 yr old. Hence why I gave up a well paid full time job and now cannot afford the bloody mortgage. Hubby says to ignore them they probably cant be bothered with the hassle of it all.

ps sorry for the rant.

Did any one else try and be upfront and did it work? Please restore my faith that someone will take heart out their.

iquit

Hi, sorry to hear of your experience. It's not something I've gone through but have read the posts of others in a similar situation who have found landlords/ladies willing to take them on. Keep looking, don't give up and all the best.

alfiemama

Thanks Iquit, I know I am probably being daft and have had some wine oops. But feel cross that I am being judged when sometimes it just cant be helped.

nev32

hi, just to say that im sorry you are in this situation but hey thats why we are here. im am going br (joint) on 10th sept, myself & my wife are moving out of our mortgaged house on 24th august to rented house, our house has lost 30000 in 2 years & we are on interest only mortgage, when the rate flies up of which i have no dought it will, we will not be able to repay the mortgage rates, so we are getting out while we can.
we tries 6 or 7 letting agents & were honest with them & all the excuses came out as to why the landlord cant take us on. so the last house we looked at ( the one we are moving too on monday) we didnt say anything & low & be hold we are in. trouble is the or after br may contact the ll to say we are br, if thats happens then i will speak to the ll myself to explain as, as long as there is no clause in the tennants agreement about br we should be fine & no arrers. the or have to by law tell the agents, or ll but not all do as i have heard & also c.a.b say they wont contact unless there is rent arrears. so who do you beleive. well thats me don for now. hope this helps a little.

skylight

Lots of ads on Gumtree are crap anyway. There are more scammers there than anywhere (even good old Ebay!) and the others are unrealistic, stuck-up landlords who think they can do the job better than a letting agent or local paper that they would have to pay for. So I don't think that you are missing out at all; the scammers are avoiding you and the crap landlords who are to stingy to place a real ad are the short-sighted ones you wouldn't want to rent from anyway.


Try somewhere else. The local paper? The local property paper?? Our ads here have changed considerably in the last year from NO DSS to DSS WELCOME - most ads now say the latter. You may not be claiming LHA, but at least these types of landlords are more open to business.

alfiemama

Good luck Nev with the new house and thanks Skylight. I just thought someone would appreciate that someone is honest, oh well there loss as they have missed out on a long term let with honest people. Your right Skylight I was contacted by what I now consider to be a scammer, something wasnt quite right.....

Bethankim

Hiya,

alot of agencies are beginning to change their criteria, also its worth getting in touch with your local council although you might not get many points its worth putting yourself on the list - they will also have a list of angencies and landlords who accept people on benefits so definately worth it.

also check out landlords direct, according to shelter they are worth a try.

I have seen lots of ads recently saying no fees, dss welcome etc.

It may take a little while but many agencies are struggling to get the properties let so are having to be more felxible.

Good luck

alfiemama

well just had an email from someone, saying they understand, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel

alfiemama

But thanks Bethandkim I will have a look at that

betterlatethannever

Try to not be too despondent.
I've managed to move to the most fabulous place after going BR. I found it by scouring the area and seeing an ad in the window. Private rental, no credit checks etc
Check the local papers, maybe even place a 'wanted to rent' ad in them and see what happens.
Can you get a good ref from someone? anyone? that will help you.
Best of luck

P.s..as Skylight says, try and avoid Gumtree..if you search this site you'll find many problems with it.

alfiemama

Thanks, hopefully though I have a viewing, with someone who totally understands, just hope the house is right now lol.