Paying for overnight guests in rented flat?!

Pixie5740

As far as you can tell from what? What feedback having you been getting from other landlords?

Pixie5740

I suspect the rent is lower because there's something off about the set up such as a hooky conversion of one house into a flat and a few studios.

Layla85

I had this feedback from both this landlord and another one. In the case of the latter, I applied for tenancy, passed all my referencing checks and credit checks, but then they asked me for 6 months rent upfront, because they were worried about the big leap in pay. The new potential landlord (£5 a night man) asked me to provide a guarantor.

I'm now very worried that every landlord is going to be worried about my ability to pay rent.

Pixie5740

As a rule of thumb, to meet affordability for renting, your annual income should be 30 times the monthly rent (I think).

Layla85

Yes, and it is. But it's being able to prove that I can pay that amount when my current rent is about a third of what my new rent would be.

always_sunny

how low are we talking about? What will be the rent and where it is?
Without those details, it's all relative.

CIS

It should likely be registered for council tax as it sounds sufficiently self-contained. If it hasn't been banded then be aware the Valuation Office can do so once information comes to light and you may then receive a backdated demand notice.

Craig

Layla85

It is registered for council tax. The new flat is 870 a month in zone 3. For its size, that's pretty low cost (by the insane prices set by the london rental market!)

Crashy_Time

Layla85 wrote: »

Hi Glasgowdan,

Thanks for your reply. That would be my preferred choice, but they have a lot of interest in the flat and this seems to be non-negotiable for them. I suppose what I'm trying to find out is whether this is as unreasonable a request as I think it is, or if I'm being naive and, in fact, this is something that happens in many privately rented properties.

Doesn`t sound legal, and is a red flag on how much intrusion they will inflict on you in future. Walk away, and report them to the local council. Maybe they are struggling a bit though.........


https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/1/number-of-buy-to-let-landlords-struggling-to-pay-mortgages-hits-2-year-high :rotfl:

Crashy_Time

Layla85 wrote: »

I had this feedback from both this landlord and another one. In the case of the latter, I applied for tenancy, passed all my referencing checks and credit checks, but then they asked me for 6 months rent upfront, because they were worried about the big leap in pay. The new potential landlord (£5 a night man) asked me to provide a guarantor.

I'm now very worried that every landlord is going to be worried about my ability to pay rent.

This is going to be a big worry for many landlords going forward IMO, they will eventually have to start dropping rents, probably when the hard Brexit kicks in IMO. You need to learn how to find reasonable and sane professional landlords and practice negotiating with them on price and being aware of all the small print plus your legal rights. I would stick with the cheap three bedder and just go out more if flat-mates are stressing you, after all we are always hearing on here about how vibrant and exciting London is!