Has anyone found a tenant through Gumtree?

greenjellybean

kmmr wrote: »

I used to use Gumtree for my London flat, but now they have started charging it's no longer worth it. I have also in the past rented flats through gumtree and it is a good way of finding private rentals if you want to avoid estate agents, but as I said, I think it has changed.

I used UPad's basic service, and that puts you flat on Gumtree, as well as the better portals - Rightmove etc. I hate to say it but you do get a 'better' type of tenant. More professionals, young couples, and less DSS and students. It depends what market you are looking for.

I think the cost of putting an ad on gumtree and regularly refreshing it (which is necessary) is getting close to UPad, so for me it was a no brainer.

eta: And it is full of scammers, which may be less now though with the charging. Easy to avoid if you know what they do - ie anything that involves western union.

Thanks all for your comments. This question really divides opinion huh? I just happened to type into Gumtree details about my flat and area to get an idea of the going rate really and there was a post from a person requesting exactly what I have to offer. He put a mobile number but although we called him yesterday and left a message, he hasnt called back. Wondering if it's a scam although it was quite a well-written message which more than just a few words. I havent put on an ad yet. What is Upad please? I have an agent coming round on Thursday so will see what they can offer. I am tempted to use an agent as a first time LL but don't want to have to pay quite a lot every month for them not to do an awful lot. I'm not going to be living very far from my property so its not like I couldnt get back for any problems.

greenjellybean

Meant to say before, how much does Gumtree charge now? I thought it was free...

kmmr

I must admit I used to be a huge advocate for Gumtree, especially as it saved you SO much money in places like London where it is pretty easy to find tenants. The only other option used to be paying 10% (minimum) to a letting agency to essentially take a couple of phonecalls.

However, now you can only get 2 free ads per year, and then £9.95 per ad. But once the 'free' ad is up, you need to keep bumping it to the top of the listing, which I think costs £5 per bump. And you really must keep doing that as it quickly drops down the listing - it at least a couple of times a day.

Or you can pay £63.29 to keep it at the top of the listings for a week.

UPad are on online estate agent, who charge £99+VAT for flats, and £50+VAT for rooms. They publish you ad online on all the big portals, rightmove etc (including gumtree), take calls and emails for you, and send your details on where people want them. They were quick and efficient for me, very friendly and nice and professional. It made the flat look like more of a professionals place, and less of a student flat. That included a nice little phamphlet you could print out and hand to prospective tenants with all the details, which I thought was a great touch.

Since it's not that much more than Gumtree now, I think they are an excellent option.

I am absolutely not affiliated with either Gumtree or UPad, just someone who has used both.

Gumtree
UPad

whalster

I have used gumtree,I have used everything in my time I have an ad on gumtree right now and to be honest it is a lower calibre of tenant who usualy calls and as someone pointed out in another post ones who seem not to read what is required ,however all new LL's should think about smokers pets LHA tenants etc its your property but will be their home . I have had all sorts but you do need the portals ,I could have made a fortune acting as a letting agent with their charges but a good living is enough. private landlord directory is new its unlimited advertising on portals for 50 quid a year and credit checks cheqap too ,I am a yorkshireman I like a deal but am wary, I asked how come you are so cheap the answer was we are not cheap they are expensive.
Landlording is great except painting god I hate painting !!!!

greenjellybean

kmmr wrote: »

I used to use Gumtree for my London flat, but now they have started charging it's no longer worth it. I have also in the past rented flats through gumtree and it is a good way of finding private rentals if you want to avoid estate agents, but as I said, I think it has changed.

I used UPad's basic service, and that puts you flat on Gumtree, as well as the better portals - Rightmove etc. I hate to say it but you do get a 'better' type of tenant. More professionals, young couples, and less DSS and students. It depends what market you are looking for.

I think the cost of putting an ad on gumtree and regularly refreshing it (which is necessary) is getting close to UPad, so for me it was a no brainer.



eta: And it is full of scammers, which may be less now though with the charging. Easy to avoid if you know what they do - ie anything that involves western union.

I have had a look at Upad. Is the basic service £299 for a year? What if your tenant leaves after 6 months? do you have to pay another £299? And how easy it is to do credit checks? I still like to believe most people are decent but don't want to leave myself vulnerable. Thank you!

greenjellybean

whalster wrote: »

I have used gumtree,I have used everything in my time I have an ad on gumtree right now and to be honest it is a lower calibre of tenant who usualy calls and as someone pointed out in another post ones who seem not to read what is required ,however all new LL's should think about smokers pets LHA tenants etc its your property but will be their home . I have had all sorts but you do need the portals ,I could have made a fortune acting as a letting agent with their charges but a good living is enough. private landlord directory is new its unlimited advertising on portals for 50 quid a year and credit checks cheqap too ,I am a yorkshireman I like a deal but am wary, I asked how come you are so cheap the answer was we are not cheap they are expensive.
Landlording is great except painting god I hate painting !!!!

Thanks Whalster. I will have a look at Private Landlord Directory. I dont mind painting. That to me seems the easy stuff! so you do your own credit checks? Cheqap, you say? I couldnt find them online...

firsttimetom

Just sold a sofa on Gumtree and what a nightmare, it was timewaster after timewaster.

I can't see me listing anything else on there anytime soon.

It could well be different in London though where property is in big demand and may well save you fees on an agent. It could be worth a try, but (based on my experience) I would say 'don't hold your breath'.

kmmr

greenjellybean wrote: »

I have had a look at Upad. Is the basic service £299 for a year? What if your tenant leaves after 6 months? do you have to pay another £299? And how easy it is to do credit checks? I still like to believe most people are decent but don't want to leave myself vulnerable. Thank you!

You asked for something akin to gumtree not a replacement for an estate agent. At the top of that link, in the centre is the property listing service for 99 pounds. For further details youclick on 'learn more', and you will find this page. http://www.upad.co.uk/property-listingThis tells you what is included, even a short video.

If you read carefully you will see they arrange the credit check for you.

kmmr

greenjellybean wrote: »

Thanks Whalster. I will have a look at Private Landlord Directory. I dont mind painting. That to me seems the easy stuff! so you do your own credit checks? Cheqap, you say? I couldnt find them online...

How hard did you look??!

http://privatelandlorddirectory.com/

Again, if you click around the site you get additional information, although your referencing question is on the front page.

aliasojo

When we were looking for a place to rent in an new area, I placed an ad on Gumtree saying we were looking for a family home.

I got a reply from 'Trevor' who sent me some pictures of 'his' property and a request to send him a deposit asap before someone else snapped the place up.

In the folio of pics he sent, he had one very obvious 'American' style living room, a very quaint 'cottage' type bedroom and a kitchen that was so modern and new he must have copied and pasted it from a Vogue magazine. And all this was available in a very small Scottish village.

Bless, he couldn't even scam properly. :rotfl:

That said, we did also go view a property that was advertised in Gumtree, the place and the LL were both genuine but neither of them were for us.

It is do-able but perhaps not the easiest way.