Looking to rent - never rented before!

diddly74

Hi guys

We are looking to rent a property due to having to go bankrupt back in March and our home being eventually sold by the OR or the mortgage company. But having bought our own property back since we left home at the age of 21 we have never rented, and its all a bit scary.

I understand that we may not be able to get a house through an Estate Agent/Letting Agent due to the credit checks (Which there is no way I am forking £250 out for them when I know we are going to fail!) - we have no one who will be able to be a guarantor and having 6 months rent is our only option with them - is it not?

My question is - who can supply references for us? Hubby is working and I am a student nurse.

Thanks in advance

McKneff

Photgraphs, itinery when you move in and take utility readings with the
LL or LA as witnesses to protect your deposit is a biggie

Ditch_Crawler

You will probably need to find a landlord who does not use agencies.

Be afraid...

But, if you are not totally desperate (where are you living for the time being, how much time do you have?), then it is possible.

Landlords generally regard themselves as 'having the upper hand', but it ain't necessarily true.

Ring some ads from your local paper - conduct some interviews - if you are a quality tenant, then you deserve a quality landlord.

dc

LandyAndy

McKneff wrote: »

Photgraphs, itinery when you move in and take utility readings with the
LL or LA as witnesses to protect your deposit is a biggie

I think that is inventory and it is very important that you check it thoroughly at the start.

LandyAndy

Landlords are, for quite a small fee, putting you in charge of a very valuable asset so it isn't unreasonable that they should be picky. Putting up 6 months rent may well be the only way forward in the short term. Good luck.

Eliza_2

Hi, I've rented twice through ads in the paper. In neither case did they take up any references etc, just asked for a months rent as deposit. I stayed at the first for 2 years and am still at the second 8 yrs later. The landlord said they don't need refs as anyone can lie on them, they prefer to be their own judge of character. So go and view with your politest face on you, promising to care for their property etc etc and you should be fine. Landlords really don't want the hassle of checking refs etc if they think you look like a nice person. If they don't like you, they won't check refs anyway because you won't get the place.

diddly74

We are in no rush as yet but due to the bankruptcy - which was our only resort due to long term unemployment (he's working now but it was all very complicated), we will lose our mortgaged property in time. We could have 3 months or more before we have to move, and I would be happy to pay Agent costs to get a home, but can't see the logic in paying for a credit check etc knowing they will find the bankruptcy and we lose our money and just be out of pocket - I might as well go and put the £250 in our wheelie bin as do that!

3 bed properties around here are advertised at between £150 and £350 LESS than what our mortgage is at the moment - we would have no problem finding the rent. No properties for what we need advertised in our local paper.

Jowo_2

Have you checked the options available for struggling homeowners on the Shelter website? The website details the government schemes available to homeowners facing repossession.

McKneff

LandyAndy wrote: »

I think that is inventory and it is very important that you check it thoroughly at the start.

Sorry
silly me, must have been the large glass of red that did it.:rotfl: