complicated first time renting

ellanutella

Just looking for some advice!

My girlfriend and I are looking to rent a place together. We originally were looking to move at the end of June however we started looking now to get a feel for the properties available. We've found one that's really caught our eye however of course it's not that simple.
At the moment we are both renting shared student houses, i'm a student for another 2 weeks, she's no longer a student and has had a full time job since september. I have an interview for a full time job on tuesday and am already signed up with temping agencies. I'm also in the position that I'd be able to cover the full rent of the place we like for six months. However, I don't yet have a job, and she's still living in her overdraft. So between us we'll be able to get employer references and show we can afford the rent but we're not as sound as we could be.
Will there be any problems with this? Is it advisable to offer the rent in advance or wait it out until I have a job?

Fire_Fox

I would wait: there must have been reasons you were going to wait until June? There will be plenty more houses to let and there is no sense in falling in love with something that is not actually yours.

You will presumably need to claim JSA (possibly LHA/ CTB too) if you don't find steady employment by the end of semester, but living with your partner would mean her income would be taken into consideration. Her debts/ overdraft will NOT be taken into consideration which could mean your partner is expected to support you. In addition you will probably have higher bills to worry about in a flat compared with shared houses. Lastly people on benefits don't make desirable tenants, rightly or wrongly so that would limit you. Personally I'd say the whole thing would be more stress than you'd need as a couple.

Jowo_2

It's not complicated.

You can either afford to pay at least 2 months rent in advance (one months rent, plus the equivalent of one month to 6 weeks rent as the deposit) , plus letting agency fees if applicable, and pass the tenant screening process or you can't.

You are either available to move into onward accommodation because you aren't locked into fixed term contracts with your current accommodation, or you are not.So when does your current contracts end (or the notice periods for them)?

If you cannot demonstrate sufficient income to pay for the rent and the landlord does not accept claimants, then you will be refused. The payment of the full 6 months rent in advance and/or the offer of a guarantor could swing it.