Do I spill the beans to letting agent

singingsister

Hi guys,

We've just found out from our letting agent that our landlady has agreed to extend our tenancy agreement for 6 months (not the 12 I was hoping for).

Our AD is in a couple of weeks and I was panicking that if she wants to terminate the agreement (due in January) we'd be stuffed trying to find anywhere to rent so soon post BR.

So, we've now got a "reprise" until July. Our Landlady and letting agent don't know we went bankrupt (have never had any problems paying rent, haven't missed any payments etc) but I'm now stressing what happens in July if she wants to terminate (which is her prerogative). The only reason I'm starting to worry is the letting agent in her email said....your landlandy always works in 6 monthly ‘lumps’ as her long term plans are uncertain".

Now do I "fess" up to our letting agent (who we'd be more than happy to rent through again) and explain the score about the BR. I think we could get my parents to act as guarantors if needed and I presume that because we are good tenants this will go in our favour - and find out if they'd be happy to rent to us again come July 2013? Or am I shooting myself in the foot so early.

My other concern is we are thinking about trying for baby number 2 soon but I don't really want to fall pregnant and have the risk of worrying about where we're going to live over my head.

Advise please?

PippaGirl_2

I personally wouldn't say anything. Your LL is content to carry on and you've been good tenants and paid on time. Your agent is getting to know you as reliable so can recommend you to future clients and they should give you a reference if needed in future.
I'd just settle down now and enjoy the next few months security.

singingsister

Thank you.

Just can't stop worrying about the future!

tiggerbodhi

And you are no longer a BR in a couple of weeks, a lot of letting agents are moving away from just relying on "traditional" credit checks, they tend to check references you can give and previous renting history,

Maizy

I don't think there is much need to advise your agent/LL to be honest. I know its hard but try and relax and not worry about the future, especially as you are being given a further tenancy, albeit for 6 months at a time.

I'm pretty sure like other agents, you would be given a couple of months notice so that is the time to think a bit deeper into things and cross those bridges when they come. Hard as that is, but once you are discharged/more secure your options may open up slightly anyhow.

I wish you well.

alastairq

Hi...as above, you have no obligation to inform the letting agency of your BR.....many don't really want to know anyway! [more the old-fashioned, 'estate agent' letting agents, rather than the new crop of specific letting agents tapping into the market...wouldn't trust those as far as I could throw them...their priorities aren't truly geared towards the tenant, who is often seen as a cash-cow]

Whilst I don't intend to be the 'harbinger of doom' it is your LL who seems to be more of an issue.......with, as you posted, he uncertainty as to whether to remain as a LL?

My advice would be, to actively start looking for somewhere more permanent [via your letting agent]......let the agent know how much you want a more secure rental......and if one turns up, try it and see? [If your incomes haven't altered, or have improved lately, use this fact as a 'lever' to argue against the agents wanting a new credit check?].....if the agents want to retain you as a customer, they may be open to negotiation on that front? [especially seeing as they will charge you for such a check?]


As to increasing the family? This may not be the best time to do so, since one of the items an agent checks for is whether you can actually afford a new rent?

Plus...with a potential house move in the offing, think of the additional stress?