'Group' rental viewing - advice needed

ilikewatch

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?

The only thing she took with her was her driving licence and (2 months) bond/first months rent in cash. The new landlady phoned my friends existing landlord and took a verbal reference, that was it - no credit check, no employers/bank reference.

Zoology_Dragon

ilikewatch wrote: »

The only thing she took with her was her driving licence and (2 months) bond/first months rent in cash. The new landlady phoned my friends existing landlord and took a verbal reference, that was it - no credit check, no employers/bank reference.

I don't think this is the norm though or at least not in my experience.

xander89

Thanks for the informative replies!

First months rent + deposit would be just under £2,000 so I'm not too keen on paying this over in cash immediately.

The flat itself is a two-bed but I would be moving in alone initally. Based on people's previous experiences, does it seem OK for me to want to move in alone first & then looking for a roommate to fill the additional room? At the end of the day the landlord would be receiving the same amount of rent whether it was from one or two tenants, but I wasn't sure if this was a bad thing to ask. This query is for when I'm searching for future properties should I not move into the one I originally asked about, so that I know whether it is still feasible for me to search for 2 bed flats in that price range.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

xander89 wrote: »

Thanks for the informative replies!

First months rent + deposit would be just under £2,000 so I'm not too keen on paying this over in cash immediately.

The flat itself is a two-bed but I would be moving in alone initally. Based on people's previous experiences, does it seem OK for me to want to move in alone first & then looking for a roommate to fill the additional room? At the end of the day the landlord would be receiving the same amount of rent whether it was from one or two tenants, but I wasn't sure if this was a bad thing to ask. This query is for when I'm searching for future properties should I not move into the one I originally asked about, so that I know whether it is still feasible for me to search for 2 bed flats in that price range.

It depends on what it says in the tenancy agreement. Many have a clause forbidding sub-letting.

nicegirl

princeofpounds wrote: »

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.

Yes to this. This very situation is how I ended up with my current flat. Although it's worked out ok in the end, so far, we definitely wouldn't have gone for it if it hadn't been such a weird, high pressure, competitive situation and we were short on time to find a place.

(And I'm significantly over 21!;) )

Confusedandneedhelp

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

It depends on what it says in the tenancy agreement. Many have a clause forbidding sub-letting.

That's not subletting, the OP can get a lodger in without any real problems.

Sub-letting would be moving out, letting someone else move in, collecting rent and then paying the (presumebly) lesser amount to the LL.

Shelter are quite clear on this, the OP can decide who can and cannot be in the property.

Rent a room scheme is quite clear about £4250 tax free.

The only downside to the OP is if rent is £950 (ish) ten months of half the rent (no bills) would use up that amount.

xoAmyox

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

It depends on what it says in the tenancy agreement. Many have a clause forbidding sub-letting.

Having a lodger, is not sub-letting though. It is simply having a lodger.

princeofpounds

The OP can get a lodger in yes, but if the LL finds out and does not like it then they will probably seek to end the tenancy at the earliest opportunity.

xander89

princeofpounds - I will of course be up front with wanting to have a roommate move in after starting my tenancy so that my rent&bills are halved, I was just wondering the best way to broach the subject.

Any further thoughts/experiences on offering upfront rent payment? Im aware deposit + first month rent will almost certainly be asked for, but offering to pay maybe 3 months upfront? Does anyone have any other tips like this to perhaps give myself a better opportunity of being selected should I like the flat please?

princeofpounds

princeofpounds - I will of course be up front with wanting to have a roommate move in after starting my tenancy so that my rent&bills are halved, I was just wondering the best way to broach the subject

It's probably not going to help you, sorry. It just screams 'I can't afford this'.

ny further thoughts/experiences on offering upfront rent payment? Im aware deposit + first month rent will almost certainly be asked for, but offering to pay maybe 3 months upfront?

It's a tactic normally used when the LL has doubts about the creditworthiness of an applicant. Otherwise it doesn't matter so much, particularly in light of the low interest rates. Personally, I wouldn't focus on this, and in fact I'd be very careful about paying more than a month in advance until I had keys in my hand.

Does anyone have any other tips like this to perhaps give myself a better opportunity of being selected should I like the flat please?

Normally paying the highest price, being able to move in on the preferred day and having a term that suits the landlord are the key things.

After that, there may be marginal considerations over having a perceived steady job, liking the cut of your jib, etc.