Is this odd or normal? (letting agent q)

clarethere

I've always rented but it's usually been very simple - see new place, arrange to rent it, give notice on current place, move. My partner, daughter and I are currently living in a flat which is small but adequate and we saw another one advertised for a decent price with a bit more space. We went to see it and liked it so applied to rent it (done through an estate agent). Everything was going fine over the past week or so (returning application forms etc) but yesterday afternoon agent came back saying the landlord wanted us to move in in two weeks, which we can't do as we need to give a month's notice, and today we found out they won't budge on that so we can't have the flat.

I don't know if there's any other interest but the flat's been advertised for over 2 months so I'm presuming they don't have crowds of tenants ready to go. I'm disappointed because we like the place but to move in that time would cost us nearly £350 extra in rent for a time when we wouldn't be able to move out so would be paying to rent 2 flats.

The agent was adamant she'd done all she could in speaking to the landlord and there was no chance - is this really weird or am I out of touch with how demanding landlords can be? (and we're not in an area where properties get snapped up quickly if that's relevant).

Trouble is we need to give notice on our rent due date which is Friday so if we don't get it sorted this week and the landlord has a change of heart (when their preferred date comes and goes with no tenant) we won't be able to be moved in for 2 months, which will obviously be worse for the landlord and frustrating for us. Should say that the agent is very reputable so it's not a ploy to screw us over, but sounds like a very weird landlord!

Should we try and argue it with the agent, offer to move slightly earlier than planned so we meet in the middle (would still effectively cost us £150-£200 more than we should be paying) or walk away? Am baffled!

timberflake

How can you argue with the agent, you don't have an argument as it's not your property.

However, I'm not sure what the Landlord is trying to achieve, if there's no one else ready to take the property it's going to take longer than two weeks to let it, unless they do have someone else lined up to take it and this is their way of stopping you from moving in.

ognum

I dont think any of us can answer. it depends on the state of the rental market where you live.

Just because the flat has been advertised for 2 months doesn't mean it has been empty for two months.

Does the LL have a choice of other tenants that can move sooner?

Sometimes LL do feel they have an upper hand (they may not be right), have you tried negotiating the rent?

I have had tenants who want the rent reduced and want me to have a void for 6 weeks and I have said no one or the other, I drop the rent and you move in two weeks or I will take the void at the original rent.

as I say it depends on the market, if you don't get this flat there will be others!

clarethere

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, I didn't mean actually argue with the agent but perhaps push them to try again/harder with the landlord, seeing as it's in their interest as well. Not aware of the LL having anyone else lined up, the agent was honest and said there was a viewing today but no-one else already lined up so maybe the LL knows/thinks something different to them.

The flat has been empty for 2 months, but I'm aware part of that time was spent doing a few minor changes to the decor but it's still 2 months lost rent already in my eyes. The market is pretty stagnant both for LL and tenants and I know there'll be other properties but this was a good location for schools/work, although no better than our current one so not worth spending a lot extra on, but other properties may well be a far worse location if that makes sense. Can see what you mean though about negotiating on the rent, so they could start having income from it sooner but it would be fairer in the long run - might be worth a try.

Thanks for the answers, I appreciate it's hard to answer without inside knowledge, think I'm frustrated more than anything that unless there's tenants lined up that we don't know about which definitely seems unlikely in this area/market, then everyone loses out just for the LL being too stubborn/hopeful.

spugzbunny

I'd say it's pretty common. LL wants someone ASAP and tries to use that card in the hope you'll pay the extra fortnight.

Maybe ask if you can have the LLs number and explain that you are very interested but you must give notice Friday. If he is adamant on the 2 weeks then you will have to let it go. See what he says. I assume you have told the agent about giving notice on Friday?

If the market is stagnant you will no doubt find something soon.

lovinituk

Far too many landlords rely too heavily on their rental income and don't have backup funding for lulls, emergencies, etc. This landlord is probably desperate for the property to be earning again. Although saying that it does seem odd to be potentially scaring away a prospective tenant if they don't have someone else lined up!

G_M

At the end of the day it is simply something you have to negotiate/agree wih the LL (or agent). Have you tried contacting the LL direct? Land Registry £4 if agent won't tell you who.

But unless he has another tenant lined up he'd be foolish to turn down a good (?) tenant for the sake of a couple of weeks rent - it'll take him that long to find someone else anyway - but if he's ademant there's not much you can do.

Trouble is we need to give notice on our rent due date which is Friday

Just a heads up - notice is not necessarily tied to rent due date...... more here.

rentergirl

I suspect this is the agent trying to maximise money: if you move in later, they get less rent ergo less commission. Landlords are often unaware of the nasties done in their name.