rent a flat for a year but staying shorter?

Lucano

So, if someone has just moved to the UK cannot stay? Of course if you have just moved, you can't have any referencies.
so many people move to london easily. there must be a solution.
Money should be the best guarantee.
if you pay the 6 weeks deposit plus a month in advance or when without referencies 3 months. it should be ok.

browneyedbazzi

Whether you think it should be ok or not is completely irrelevant - only what the landlord considers acceptable counts when it comes to them deciding who to let their property to.

Housing is in very short supply in London so landlords (particularly those with nice properties in decent areas) have a lot of choice in tenants and tenants compete for properties almost like you would for a job. If a landlord has a choice between an employed tenant with good references and someone without references or on benefits it's really a no-brainer.

Many people who move to london and won't pass credit and reference checks end up renting from less reputable landlords in areas/properties that aren't very nice until they can build up their credit rating and get a decent reference. Many also rent rooms in shared houses until they are in a position to be accepted by a landlord on their own.

Werdnal

On you previous thread here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4748671

you mention you have lived in a rented studio flat, so you have proof that it is possible to rent without references or credit checks, so you maybe lucky to find someone who will offer you a tenancy. However, it costs you to apply for tenancies and the agent/LL will charge you to do checks, and if they are not satisfied with these checks, they can keep your fees and still refuse to offer you the tenancy.

You must make sure you explain your situation before you pay any money, or you may end up losing the application and having to start all over again, pay more fees and so on. If you are open and honest about your finances, offer to pay some months (don't be surprised if the agent insists on 6 months rather than 3) in advance, you may be lucky, but nothing is guaranteed.

Think about it - if you were a LL, being approached by several possible tenants, and one had excellent references, good income and lived in London for many years, and the other only recently came into the country, had little provable income and no references, which one would you choose as the tenant???? LL wants to ensure you have money, good history and are a reliable tenant, and they make the choice on the information you give.

Lucano

Werdnal wrote: »

On you previous thread here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4748671

you mention you have lived in a rented studio flat, so you have proof that it is possible to rent without references or credit checks, so you maybe lucky to find someone who will offer you a tenancy. However, it costs you to apply for tenancies and the agent/LL will charge you to do checks, and if they are not satisfied with these checks, they can keep your fees and still refuse to offer you the tenancy.

You must make sure you explain your situation before you pay any money, or you may end up losing the application and having to start all over again, pay more fees and so on. If you are open and honest about your finances, offer to pay some months (don't be surprised if the agent insists on 6 months rather than 3) in advance, you may be lucky, but nothing is guaranteed.

Think about it - if you were a LL, being approached by several possible tenants, and one had excellent references, good income and lived in London for many years, and the other only recently came into the country, had little provable income and no references, which one would you choose as the tenant???? LL want to ensure you have money, good history and are a reliable tenant, and they make the choice on the information you give.

I agree with you completely!
I do not want to hide anything. And I would be prepared to pay 3 months in advance but 6 would be too much for me.

Gumtree seems to be a good site for ads from private landlord but I was wondering if you have any other suggestions.
I prefer to contact the landlords directly.
sombody said: https://www.openrent.co.uk/

but it seems to be quite a long procedure. You won't get the phone number of the ll but only the email and it costs time.
I need the flat for the coming monday already :mad:

Besides, I do not know which would be the best area. Yesterday I visited a flat which was between elephant & castel and queens road peckham. I did not like the area at all.
I do not know london well yet but I assume nice areas could be either in NW or SW