40k per year income?!

Amyr_3

I am a student in London and I am on the search for a place to rent next school year ('14-'15)

I've found a really good place that i would be able to afford (two bedrooms but shared between myself and my friend/her boyfriend)
but the problem is when I emailed to arrange a viewing, the person who posted the ad 'remembered' to tell me that the letting agent has said tenants had to be earning over 45k a year.

Although i have full loans and grants to pay for rent and living expenses (and a part time job) I do not have a 40k income, although i would certainly be able to afford the rent and bills that i would need to pay for the year contract, as would my friends. I understand it's a security thing for them but come on, it's so unfair!

Would it help to have a guarantor? (I have one)

I have still arranged a visit in the hope that we hate it, or that we might be able to negotiate, but both seem unlikely.

Do you have any tips, stories, rants or anything you could offer to make this situation a bit better? Should we give up on this place or try to negotiate?

jayss

Sounds like the landlord dosent want to rent to students.

BitterAndTwisted

If the landlord is letting a two-bedroomed property and looking for an income of £45k per annum I would say that would be £22,500 per tenant if it's to be a joint-tenancy.

Mulder00

I think it's perfectly fair for landlords to want to protect themselves and decide on the type of people who move into the property.

Many places in London state "professional couples" only and I would assume that in this case, the income is probably per person, not for two people. In addition, given that the landlord is already picky, I don't think they would necessarily be happy with a flat-share arrangement as it simply exposes them to more risk.

In addition, are you really sure you want to sign a lease together with a friend? Why don't you rather look for a flatshare or a smaller place? What happens when you realise that despite being such good friends, you really struggle to live together and annoy each other and they move out?

BitterAndTwisted

A joint-tenancy is not an usual thing when a landlord is letting a two-bedroomed property. Even working couples in London often can't afford anything larger than a one-bed in some parts of the city.

The landlord's preference might be for a small dual-salaried family but that's not necessarily the typical demographic. I'd say that most landlords don't particularly care. What they do care about is whether prospective tenants have the means to pay the rent and can prove it.