Letting web sites without agents. I want to avoid the fees!

Smirch_This

I need to move soon.

I've been lucky in the last couple of moves regarding letting agents. I've managed to find private landlords either on gumtree or actually via knocking on the door where there is a sign, getting details and talking them into taking me on privately.

Unfortunately, where I am moving to is populated by horrid letting agents who contrive fees for everything possible and try their best to contractually take you out of the tenancy deposit protection scheme. There is nothing on Gumtree or in the local papers. My credit rating is not perfect either which worries me.

Are there any web sites/publications out there that deal with just private lettings without the interference of the greedy devils or do I need to find another strategy?

robfromdublin

Yes I am also looking to move soon and would like to avoid using an agent. As far as my experience goes they provide nothing to the tenant for the money they are paid.

Local papers are certainly useful in my area (Plymouth) but it would be nice to have a website so that pictures can be viewed of the properties. It would save a lot of wasted viewings!

Does anyone know of such a website?

adg1

Smirch_This wrote: »

...and try their best to contractually take you out of the tenancy deposit protection scheme...

What do you mean by that? Unless you are spending over £25k per annum on rent and you are an individual not a company then deposit protection is mandatory. No agent/LL can try to get around this without serious penalties falling on the landlord.

Smirch_This wrote: »

Are there any web sites/publications out there that deal with just private lettings without the interference of the greedy devils or do I need to find another strategy?

Not that I know of. Just Gumtree, newspaper ads and the local shop windows.

sooz

There are agencies that put ads up on the big property portals for private landlords. I place ads through rentfair & vletz. There are others that offer this service too (they seems to change frequently so try googling for some names) & filter your searches on rightmove etc. to just look for properties through those agents. Private landlords can also advertise through their landlords' associations.

Try asking friends & work colleagues for recommendations too.

However, don't think that a private landlord won't credit check you. The good ones do

tbs624

As Sooz says, the local LL association would be a good place to start, and you could also check with the local Council's private sector rentals officer. Decent private LLs tend to sign up voluntarily to local accreditation schemes. If you have a look at sites such as accommodationforstudents.com/ there are links to the LLs, some of whom often also let other properties to young professionals etc.

Pu a "Wanted" ad in the local paper, using a PO Box number, stating no Letting Agencies.

OP - read up on MSE Martin's guide to improving your credit rating. and make sure that you have good references (checkable) from your past couple of LLs.

suzannex

Hi

We are looking to move and are considering many options including buying repossessed property, old pubs and part exchanging our current home for an older property (not a new build)

Can anyone recommend websites, estate agents and financial advisors in Notts/derby area who could advise about this?

Many thanks

Suzanne

rentergirl

This is something that various sites are starting to do. Gumtree can be full of some quite convincing scammers, but this is going to be increasingly common. I think even landlords are fed up of paying letting agents for nothing, as when problems arise they refer tenants back to the landlord.

DVardysShadow

suzannex wrote: »

Hi

We are looking to move and are considering many options including buying repossessed property, old pubs and part exchanging our current home for an older property (not a new build)

Can anyone recommend websites, estate agents and financial advisors in Notts/derby area who could advise about this?

Many thanks

Suzanne

Go here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16 and use the 'new thread' button to post your question. This thread is 2 years old and about renting - so people will probably waste their time answering the original question and completely miss yours.