'Group' rental viewing - advice needed

xander89

Hi all,

First of all: I am a looking to rent for the first time (aside from university) and so have little 'real-world' experience in the do's & don'ts of finding and renting a flat. I have studied the guides on this website and over on Rightmove but would still like some additional help if possible!

I have found a flat within my price range which I am interested in renting and have contacted the landlady to arrange a viewing. She has told me that I can view the property this week at a particular time, but there will be several other people viewing it then as well. I am aware that I will therefore be in competition with several other people viewing the flat.

My queries are:

Is a 'group' viewing of a flat typical? Does anyone have any tips for what I can do to improve my chances against the others who are viewing?

What things should I take & what questions are best to ask on the first viewing? (for example, should the first viewing just be for a 'look around' or should I ask detailed questions such as requesting the gas safety certificate). I also have got a character reference from my employer as advised from the help guides. Is this necessary to take at this stage?

If I am happy with the flat and would like to take it (if possible), is it a case of formally telling the landlady there and then? Are there any documents I should ask for at that point or is it a case of contacting her after the viewing?

I have had an offer from one or two family members to come along to the viewing with me to offer additional advice. Is this wise or would it look better if I just went along alone?

Apologies for what may seem like extremely basic questions to more experiences renters. I just wanted to give myself the best opportunity considering I'm going to be sharing a viewing with people wanting the same flat :undecided

All assistance is appreciated!

xander89

Additionally, another member of the forum posted that they were considering offering rent upfront to attempt to persuade the landlord.

What are people's opinions of using this as a possible bargaining chip? (for example, offering 3 months upfront)

Confusedandneedhelp

Is this being done privately (no letting agent) with the land lady?

I'd be wary that this isnt a scam, get everyone in, take deposits and do a bunk. I would not pay or bring anything with me. Take a look around, ask some questions and walk away. If you like it, get in touch after the group viewing is finished and apply.

xander89

The land lady has listed it through discountletting.co.uk (which itself has received good reviews when I've looked online). After contacting the listed discountletting number, I was then given a name and number to contact to arrange a viewing. I did this and was advised to come to view on Thursday evening.

ilikewatch

Group viewings or "open houses" for rental units are getting increasingly common in the area I live - if a property is empty it potentially saves the landlord plenty of time showing up to give multiple viewings to individuals.

I accompanied a friend to a group viewing on Saturday - we were the first there and my friend liked the property. We turned up at 15:00, by 16:00 the paperwork was signed, deposit and bond paid and we had the keys - by 20:00 we had rented a van, moved all her stuff in and had her washing machine installed!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Group viewings are common. Weekday evenings are convenient for most people, getting everyone in during a 1 hour slot minimises the disruption for current tenant.

There is very little you can do to "improve" your chances, presuming your references are all in order it tends to be first come first served.

xander89

ilikewatch - presumably your friend took documents with her to be able to have everything signed so quickly. Do you know the things she took with her?

Confusedandneedhelp

xander89 wrote: »

ilikewatch - presumably your friend took documents with her to be able to have everything signed so quickly. Do you know the things she took with her?

In general the LL may want proof of income, proof of address and id.

So a driving licence and a payslip is sufficient for this. (a recent utility bill can be useful).

Each landlord will be different.

Confusedandneedhelp

ilikewatch wrote: »

Group viewings or "open houses" for rental units are getting increasingly common in the area I live - if a property is empty it potentially saves the landlord plenty of time showing up to give multiple viewings to individuals.

I accompanied a friend to a group viewing on Saturday - we were the first there and my friend liked the property. We turned up at 15:00, by 16:00 the paperwork was signed, deposit and bond paid and we had the keys - by 20:00 we had rented a van, moved all her stuff in and had her washing machine installed!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Group viewings are common. Weekday evenings are convenient for most people, getting everyone in during a 1 hour slot minimises the disruption for current tenant.

There is very little you can do to "improve" your chances, presuming your references are all in order it tends to be first come first served.

I've only ever heard of this as scams, but i stand corrected. Not something which has reached my end of the world.

princeofpounds

Group viewings are not uncommon. It's less an issue with a landlady perhaps but with agents they will tell you 90% of the time that the other people are putting in offers etc. Sometimes it is true, often it is not. So do not fall for the belief it is any more competitive than a non-group situation. Every 21 year old seems to get caught by this.

Don't ask for a gas certificate until you are about to move in. It's the landlord's duty, and unless the tenant's copy is lying around no-one brings them to viewings.

It is also not necessary to start submitting your references in person etc. Having them around is not a bad idea to move quickly, but generally the only thing that might be agreed just after a viewing is a price/term agreement in principle. Credit checks, references, paperwork take time and are normally dealt with in the following days.

I wouldn't take other family members personally. That's for children. Ask them for advice before you go, of course.

The questions you should ask are all about the house and the area. Normal stuff. You may wish to get the landlord's name too, so you can confirm them as owners of the house on land registry if it is a concern (more of an issue with private ads).


If you can, test the water system. Nothing worse than booking a rental to find a dribbling cold shower for 6 months.

Don't pay deposits in cash.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Confusedandneedhelp wrote: »

I've only ever heard of this as scams, but i stand corrected. Not something which has reached my end of the world.

My sister had about 8 people viewing a place in 1 hour recently; she phoned back 3 hour later and the place had gone - the LA said as soon as their fees were paid they took it off the market (£300!). Bristol so not even a London/SE exclusive issue.