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Why can't I move?
smj43
Posts: 385 Forumite
I have been searching now for about a year for a property to rent and keep hitting a brick wall everytime, it's driving me insane.
I have been looking for a 2 bed flat/house somewhere in my local area in London (Wandsworth borough). I need to stay in this area to stay close to family and friends and work. Now the problem is that rent prices are insane and I can't afford it on my earnings. I earn about £1500 a month but the rent is 1000-1200. My partner isn't currently working as she is a full time mum for our 7 month old daughter. The only way we can afford the rent is to claim partial LHA until the OH goes back to work.
Here's where we hit a wall every time. No landlord wants to accept LHA tenants. Despite the fact I do work and have a stable job of 3 years. We will only be claiming some help. The minute I mention LHA, no estate agent wants to talk to me. It's not like we are the scum of the earth and are going to trash the place. I have even offered 6 months in advance (nearly £8k!) and still the answer is no!
What am I meant to do? I have no guarantor so that isn't an option.
I have been looking for a 2 bed flat/house somewhere in my local area in London (Wandsworth borough). I need to stay in this area to stay close to family and friends and work. Now the problem is that rent prices are insane and I can't afford it on my earnings. I earn about £1500 a month but the rent is 1000-1200. My partner isn't currently working as she is a full time mum for our 7 month old daughter. The only way we can afford the rent is to claim partial LHA until the OH goes back to work.
Here's where we hit a wall every time. No landlord wants to accept LHA tenants. Despite the fact I do work and have a stable job of 3 years. We will only be claiming some help. The minute I mention LHA, no estate agent wants to talk to me. It's not like we are the scum of the earth and are going to trash the place. I have even offered 6 months in advance (nearly £8k!) and still the answer is no!
What am I meant to do? I have no guarantor so that isn't an option.
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Comments
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Are you certain that you're making it clear that you are receiving a contribution of LHA towards your rent rather than being totally dependent on it to afford your rent? This is the only explanation I can think of if you've offered 6 months rent in advance.0
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Have you considered moving to another borough? Wandsworth can be quite expensive in some areas and living in London you can travel pretty much anywhere. Have you tried Merton (to the south) even Lambeth, Lewisham?0
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Simple, because you want to live in an area that you can't afford. I'd love to live in Mayfair but it's never going to happen. Get over it and move somewhere cheaper.0
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BitterAndTwisted wrote: »Are you certain that you're making it clear that you are receiving a contribution of LHA towards your rent rather than being totally dependent on it to afford your rent? This is the only explanation I can think of if you've offered 6 months rent in advance.
I'm sure this is the problem. I cant seem to explain my situation properly because the minute I mention LHA they aren't interested and don't listen. I'm sure some of their landlords would be fine with our situation but it's getting past the agents that is the problem.
As for the recommendation of another borough, it makes more sense money wise to stay in Wandsworth. I currently live in Tooting which is the cheapest part of Wandsworth. I work in Tooting so I have no travel costs and also Wandsworth has the cheapest council tax. Stepping over to Merton and the council tax doubles!0 -
DannyboyMidlands wrote: »Simple, because you want to live in an area that you can't afford. I'd love to live in Mayfair but it's never going to happen. Get over it and move somewhere cheaper.
Suggestions?0 -
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If you have 8k, don't tell the LL. Pay them your self, you claim and wait for the money.
Everybody is happy.......
What the LL don't know wont hurt him.0 -
I'm sure this is the problem. I cant seem to explain my situation properly because the minute I mention LHA they aren't interested and don't listen.
So don't mention it then. Make mention of your secure employment, superb references and the equivalent of six month's rent you have in savings.0 -
How could I get around a credit check though? They would know I don't earn enough money to afford the rent?
And please guys. A cheaper area is not an option. I can't afford anywhere in London. The EA said I need to earn 2.5 times the rent to be able to afford it. I don't know any 2 bedroom flats in London for £600 per month.0 -
And please guys. A cheaper area is not an option. I can't afford anywhere in London. The EA said I need to earn 2.5 times the rent to be able to afford it. I don't know any 2 bedroom flats in London for £600 per month.
Cheaper area may not be something you want to consider but you cannot afford the level of rent in the area(s) you are looking at.
Seems that a reality check won't hurt...0
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