Renting through private landlord risks

themadhouse

Hi all, I am having a nightmare with a letting agent (Roy Green in Anstey) and wanted to consider all options if they mess me around again.

I have been a flat privately and wanted to know about renting privately, what are the risks to me the tenant? I have read online about renting and tried to avoid posting another thread on a probable reoccurring theme, but the only information really I am suggested is to check the Land Registry on the property to obtain the landlords UK address.

Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance.

theartfullodger

Perhaps no more risks, although with an agent they have to be members of a redress scheme (a bit like "people have to drive at less than 70mph in UK"... aye, right..).

Yup, spend £3 with LR see who's name & address comes up. But the landlord does not have to own the place (unlikely, but if there is a miss-match ask why.. )

You could ask him for proof of consent to let or a buy-to-let mortgage, or a copy of his landlord insurance: In 15+ years as a landlord I've never been asked for these, amazing really. Suspect most landlords would be "surprised" to be asked.

Of course in Scotland landlords must be registered so you know who they are & that they will have passed the "fit & proper" test: (The test involves landlord ticking a box saying they are fit & proper): However landlords do get chucked off the registers..

As landlord won't be paying fees to agent (& nor will you) you just might get it cheaper.

It's just possible landlord understands the law on landlord/tenant: As far as I can tell a huge proportion of agents don't. But there are good agents, I have one..

themadhouse

Thank you so much for a very informative post, it was a very useful read and I will certainly take on all of the free advice you have kindly given in your post. I have found a property which is £50 more PCM than I believe it to be worth (compared to the same flats elsewhere) so I will contact them and see what can be arranged.

On another point, what is the best way to find private rental properties? I can't seem to find them on Right Move - but the only place seems to be Gumtree - is this how it works?

Thanks

HappyMJ

themadhouse wrote: »

Thank you so much for a very informative post, it was a very useful read and I will certainly take on all of the free advice you have kindly given in your post. I have found a property which is £50 more PCM than I believe it to be worth (compared to the same flats elsewhere) so I will contact them and see what can be arranged.

On another point, what is the best way to find private rental properties? I can't seem to find them on Right Move - but the only place seems to be Gumtree - is this how it works?

Thanks

£50 based on what asking rent? There's a reason is priced £50/month higher and that's to attract a tenant that would otherwise be refused had they gone through a letting agent. Tenants on full benefits are just about always shown the door when they approach letting agents but a landlord can target that market and ask for more rent than the property would otherwise achieve.

SuzieSue

themadhouse wrote: »

On another point, what is the best way to find private rental properties? I can't seem to find them on Right Move - but the only place seems to be Gumtree - is this how it works?

Thanks

You need to be especially careful of scams if you use Gumtree but there will be genuine landlords on there.

There will be private landlords advertising on Rightmove and Zoopla using online letting agents such as Upad and OpenRent.

You need to read the advert as it will say that it is a private landlord but there is no way of getting list of properties with private landlords on either site as far as I know.

It's also worth saying that you are looking for a private landlord on Streetlife. You might get a response.

silvercar

HappyMJ wrote: »

£50 based on what asking rent? There's a reason is priced £50/month higher and that's to attract a tenant that would otherwise be refused had they gone through a letting agent. Tenants on full benefits are just about always shown the door when they approach letting agents but a landlord can target that market and ask for more rent than the property would otherwise achieve.

Sorry, I find the idea that tenants on full benefits can afford higher than market rates laughable.

SuzieSue

silvercar wrote: »

Sorry, I find the idea that tenants on full benefits can afford higher than market rates laughable.

He didn't say that they could afford higher rents. He said that private landlords were taking advantage of tenants who couldn't use letting agents by charging them more rent.

HappyMJ

silvercar wrote: »

Sorry, I find the idea that tenants on full benefits can afford higher than market rates laughable.

If you've got a hovel of a place that would only get £50 less than the LHA rate for an area as it's market rate but as a tenant on benefits can pay the LHA rate charging £50 a month more than the property is worth then targeting those tenants is very tempting to some landlords.

I didn't mean they could pay £50/month more than LHA rates I meant more than the property is worth. When I was looking for property there was some right rubbish houses apparently being let for the LHA rate but I wouldn't even offer half of that as they were so rubbish. Carpet well beyond economical use, painting well overdue, one had a cupboard over the stairs meaning I'd bang me head on it every time I walked up and down the stairs, the kitchens looked like they were from the 60's. They weren't even worth £300/month but as the LHA rate is £450/month the landlords charged £450/month expecting a tenant to pay in full from benefits. I pay £475/month for my 2 bedroom flat which is only 10 years old, well insulated and very cheap to keep and it's well worth paying the extra when you compare it to those properties.

[Deleted User]

Yep, unfortunately LHA tenants don't have a lot of choice and there are LL's who take advantage. Once you are in there its hard to get out (save up another deposit and month's rent in advance etc)

G_M

Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants