Ready to scream - need a new home

top_drawer_2

hello,

Just looking for some clarity as I ready to scream with frustration...

I am looking to share a flat with one other person. I currently live in a one-bed flat which I can't afford (6 month fixed term, £360pcm + elect and C/T) I was fooled by the LA who told me that the rent included c/t. I hoped to either find someone to buddy up with or to find someone who is wanting to rent their spare room out in their own two bed flat. My tenancy ends on the 14/09 and I cant really afford to pay for another month here (if they would let me go onto a rolling contract).

I have tried and tried showing interests on spareroom/easyroommate and so on and the only interests I get back seem to be from people who have 3/4/5/6 in a house or are far out (I don't drive and work in a large town/small city) or are just unsuitable. I found 5 on Saturday who I thought could be possibles so I emailed each saying I was interested, have a look at my profile on the site and maybe we could meet. No response on Sunday/Monday so today I have emailed a more expansive explanation -- sorry for pestering but need to move soon - would appreciate it if you could take a look at my ad.Now they are coming back Sorry room has been taken (despite the room still being advertised). I even asked one if there was any reason they had decided that they didnt think we would be suitable flatmates! No response.

I came across an ad in a cafe - someone wanting a flatmate, rang the number and it turned out that she was actually looking to move into a new house. Fair enough we can look together. However, she has set up all sorts of boundaries; must be £400 if unfurnished/£450 furnished, in a particular area and not on a street that might be a little rough around the edges. We both want double rooms too. She keeps mentioned the possibility of a third person and I am adamant that no I dont want to live with two other people (I have before and I found it hard as it could never just be me) and I won't know either of them really so what would be the point in taking on a joint tenancy (jointly and severely liable) in a situation I dont want to be in, with two people who I dont know when I can do the same on a room only basis?! She has said I could move in with her ather current house which in the exact area she wants to live in .... but is around £100 a month over her budget. She isnt willing to bend despite me pointing out that she is paying out £373 (as she only pays £250 on her actual room a month anyway.

I am desperate to settle living somewhere I am happy. Reasonable bedsit are like gold dust here and at the moment there are none that I can find. I can cope with living with one person but not two if I can just find somewhere suitable.

I think there is something wrong with me as no-one seems to want to even bother to meet me before they say No. This is the ad I have on Spareroom

Thanks

hjd

You are going to restrict it if you have to have en-suite.
The thing that jumps out at me is in About me - Any pets? Yes. However, you make no mention of any pets in your description.

19lottie82

Maybe take out the “ensuite” requirement of your ad?

If people live in a 2 bed and have a “spare room” then I’m guessing that they will have taken the ensuite one for themselves, first come, first served and all of that! Therefore this might put a lot of people off answering your ad?

The girl who you are currently in contact with sounds like a bit of a nightmare tbh – if she is this inflexible now, what will she be like if / when you finally move in together?

How long have you been looking? Maybe it’s a case of keeping the faith because somewhere decent will come along soon, or maybe you need to make some compromises?

Good luck!

top_drawer_2

I didnt realise that it was still in - removed that and that it should be furnished - I can sort that myself....

I doubt we and this other girl will be moving in together .... she has replied regarding some ads I sent her yesterday and is absolutely concrete on what she wants.

I started looking around 6 weeks ago. I feel I am already compromising, I am not looking to live in a Buckingham Palace type place and that I would far prefer to live alone but I just cant afford it.

Thanks for the luck. I think I'm going to need it.
Jenny

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Hi,

I think you come across well in your advert.

I'd remove your dislikes... could you really not tolerate to live with someone who watches TV programs you don't like? Or is that just your personal preference but happy to compromise over TV viewing?! Definitley move the no-smoking up to the dislikes section too.

Also I'd move your "experienced house sharer" further up... these are good points and what people will want to know initially.

Don't take it personally... I think supply and demand is imbalanced.

If you're already not seeing eye-to-eye with this girl then best to move on I think.

19lottie82

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

Hi,

Don't take it personally... I think supply and demand is imbalanced.

Agreed. My friends boyfriend was looking for a room in a shared flat and it took a while. He had the same experience as you, suitable properties seems rare and a lot fo the time people just didn't get back to him!

Keep your chin up and check the ads everyday (twice if poss). If you see somewhere that you think might be suitable, contact the advertiser straight away, and phone rather than email, if there is a number given.

I take it you're using Gumtree as well?

lvm

Your ad is VERY detailed...although I don't "think" it would put me off, why not skim down on someof the details - to be honest I don't really want to know if you like Friends, Desperate Housewives etc.

I'd keep it short and sweet. Youre a professional working mon-fri 9-5. You enjoy film, TV and cycling. Love to cook. Looking for somewhere in X area (doubles only) at around £300-350 including bills and council tax.

Sorry to say, I have told people my spare room was taken if I wasn't keen on them. But I always reckon you should go with your gut instinct - and that would include binning off the girl you're trying to find a place with.

Also, wouldn't particularly tell everyone you've never been late with rent...no-one would say they're "usually on time with rent". Instead say that references are available.

Good luck! Hope you find somewhere soon.

19lottie82

http://www.gumtree.com/p/flats-houses/double-room-for-rent-in-a-two-bedroom-house-on-a-leafy-square-near-preston-centre-and-university/109550984

Dunroamin

I definitely think that the en suite's the major problem.

PasturesNew

Also try http://www.houseshare.com/ - which is free.

top_drawer_2

No I have lived with people who like the things I dislike, happily enough so I've added something about how I am willing to compromise - happy house share and all that!

This girl and I seemed to have a lot in common in that we are both tidy and not going out drinking type people (unusual at my age), its not that we're boring but it does tend to limit things a bit when it comes to looking to meet people ..... plus I dont want to live with people who are loud/noisy/inconsiderate and think that I am boring or too clever for my own good because I enjoy reading and my own company.