Gumtree

Becca03

Has anyone found a rental property via Gumtree? How wasy your experience?

I am slightly new to this. I'm moving to a different city for work and it'll be my first time renting somewhere (aside from student houses over the past couple of years). I've looked with plenty of letting agents and online sites unfortunatly I'm not up against a deadline of my starting date at work and properties within my price range etc seem to be few and far between at the moment (there have been plenty during recent weeks but I was awaiting the go ahead from my job until beginning to look).
I had a look on gumtree earlier purely on the off chance and found a lovely apartment within my budget. I've asked for more details and photographs in the mean time.
I've been doing my research around renting so I've a fair idea of how things go and I'm not going to view properties or sign paperwork without running it past a friend/relative either to make sure I'm not missing something glaring (or in the case of gumtree, a scam) but I was just curious about peoples renting experiences from such a site?

Thanks

G_M

Some posters here claim they have found properties via gumtree.

However there have also been many instances of scamming on gumtree.

Be very cautious dealing with people who claim to be landlords, especially if they ask for cash up front.

Check them out first - to the extent of downolading the property Title from the Land Registry (£4) to find the property owner's name and comparing it with the person you are dealing with.

agrinnall

I found a flatshare on Gumtree (and it turned out to be a pretty good deal), but there were a lot of very suspicious adverts to wade through until I found the one that worked.

Miss_Ratty

I looked for a flat on gumtree moons ago, and apart from the dodgy ads I also got dodgy phone calls from people who I had contacted about flats! I don't doubt there are genuine ads, but I had to wade through a lot.

Have you tried the local papers (many have online pages) or classified adverts through places of work if you know anyone who works in the area you are moving to? Get in touch with letting agents too.

Fire_Fox

Welcome! It's well worth running an advanced search, this has been discussed at length many times.

dimbo61

We use gumtree to advertise flats and houses.
We get a good number of emails amd phone calls from the adverts.
I make sure that I post good quality photos and as much information as possible.
At the same time many people seem unable to read IE an AST must be at least 6 months long so why do people want a flat/house for a month or 6 weeks.
No pets means NO PETS
Yes you have to pay a deposit which we have to pay into the DPS
We give you a £150K flat or £200K house and the idea of paying 5/6 weeks rent as a deposit in case they wreck the place.
Do your homework and know which area you want to live.
Check out the letting agents and see what they have to offer.
letting agents have COSTS and nice shinny offices and staff to pay so be prepared for the FEES
Check the tenancy agreement very carefully and look at a 6 months AST in case you hate the place.
Know your rights ! So read as much as you can on here re Gas safety cert, electrics, EPC, cleaning when you leave ETC
Credit checks, employer refs, DPS, BILLS
Writing to your landlord when things go wrong or breakdown.
Take photos when you move in and write to the LL and LA pointing out any problems ( keep a copy ) back up with emails

G_M

dimbo61 wrote: »

At the same time many people seem unable to read IE an AST must be at least 6 months long so why do people want a flat/house for a month or 6 weeks.

Most of your post is correct and helpful, but this is incorrect.

An AST can be for any period - a week, a month, 2 months and 3 days, whatever the parties agree.

However:

a) a landlord cannot start court proceedings for possession in the 1st 6 months, so if the tenant fails to leave after, say a month (if that was the length of the AST) the LL still has to wait another 5 months (assuming the tenant still pays rent).

b) there are costs to a LL of frequent turn-over of tenants (voids between ASTs, advertising etc etc)

c) so because of a and b above, most landlords insist on a minimum 6 month tenancy

dimbo61

Sorry GM you are right of course but as you point out what landlord in there right mind would allow an AST of less than 6 months with the risk of not being able to get there property back or get paid rent for 5 months ?
To the poster please do your homework and look on gumtree, easyroommate, spareroom etc for a flat of flat/house share

Becca03

Thank you.

I definatly agree with having to wade through the dodgy adds until you find something!
I've done a bit of research but I'll look more in depth at the things all of you have mentioned and I'm off to run a search here and read more.

It's good to at least know some have found a good flat from such a site.
Thank again.

G_M

dimbo61 wrote: »

Sorry GM you are right of course but as you point out what landlord in there right mind would allow an AST of less than 6 months with the risk of not being able to get there property back or get paid rent for 5 months ?

1) charge a premium rent for short term rent? Some LLs would prefer this to no rent at all!
2) if LL actually wants a longer tenancy, offering a short one (eg at premium as 1 above) is no risk. If tenant fails to leave.... great, longer term tenancy! (tenant still has to pay rent at premium!)

ChrisM90

I have used Gumtree successfully. In a world of agents with ridiculous fees, it is a good place to find a private landlord.

However, you have to be realistic in your expectations unfortunately!

There are a few scams but these are easily detectable, if it sounds to good to be true.

Obviously, never hand over any money prior to viewing the property and seeing the terms of the tenancy, which is not much to ask of a competent, trustworthy landlord.

Best of luck.