Letting agents asking how much we earn

MEM62

EA's regularly get a bad press and often for good reason. However, in this case I think it is a fair question. They are ensuring that you can afford the rent thus protecting the LL's interest and also preventing those with champagne taste and beer money from getting themselves into trouble. As for the question of your profession I would argue that this is less relevant although a lot of LL's will want to know that you work as they prefer not to rent to people on benefits.

Naf

If they ask, just tell them a figure suitably high that they'll let you view. Before applying, find out what their actual multiplier is to see if you really fit their criteria.

somethingcorporate

sandsni wrote: »

The OP was taking about renting property, not buying. I'm guessing your suggestion is based on someone viewing with the intention of buying.

Smells like spam to me. They are also based in the states so not sure how relevant they think their input is.

CapJ

If all they are doing is asking and not demanding to see the proof, perhaps they have had many prospective tenants in the past who were interested and were turned down on the basis of salary after viewing etc.

I would guess that they are just trying to save everyone's time and not waste theirs or yours on a flat that they won't be renting to you anyway because they believe you can't afford it.

Having said all that I think they need to go about it another way. Perhaps simply telling you the rent and asking if you can afford it (before the viewing, the reference checks is another mater).

I, like you, wouldn't be keen on disclosing my salary just to get a viewing.

martinsurrey

Naf wrote: »

If they ask, just tell them a figure suitably high that they'll let you view. Before applying, find out what their actual multiplier is to see if you really fit their criteria.

And then when they get the credit check back and you've lied, they'll pull the tenancy.

This part of the world (London) the landlord gets his pick of the tenants, the tenant’s don’t get their pick of the houses.

OP, you’re under no obligation to tell them anything, but they are under no obligation to show you any properties either.

ruggedtoast

As Martinsurrey says, the competition for rentals in London is so intense now you are basically lucky to find anything decent that hasn't been let before you can get to view it.

Private landlords can ask whatever they want prior to letting. They can say you have to dress up as a leprechaun with your salary emblazoned over your back if they feel like it.

Its just another one of the indignities of begging the rentier class for somewhere to live in aspirational Britain circa 2013.

GDB2222

pinteresque wrote: »

But at least five different LAs I have spoken to in the area have asked me up front what my salary is, and I think I don't need to tell them until I decide to put an offer in.

People have this sense of entitlement: "I'm entitled to be shown this flat on my terms." Apparently, the agents don't agree.

ILW

Why would an agent want to waste his time showing a potential tenant a place if they are not going to pass affordabilty criteria?

ognum

We constantly get moans on here from tenants who don't want lots of new renters traipsing through the flat they are currently in.

This EA is doing his best to reduce this to only those who are produced able and will hopefully pass referencing etc. This IMO can only be good!

Naf

martinsurrey wrote: »

And then when they get the credit check back and you've lied, they'll pull the tenancy.

Credit check doesn't give any information about income.
Give a false name to view under if you think they'll connect the income you give for viewing with your actual application.
What I'm saying is tell them what they want to hear for purposes of getting to view places; not lie on the background check/financial assessment application.