How to start renting from far away?

Dunkelmann

I live several hundred miles away from where I want to move to (Wiltshire). I can find properties to rent easily enough through Internet searches.

Speaking to one letting agency, they say I have to visit a property before I can take it on.

These properties go quickly so by the time I can drive down, the property is likely to have gone. A visit involves a round trip of 900 miles and two overnight stops so it is expensive and tiring.

Does no agency allow acceptance over the phone/email? I understand the risks are all on me and I accept that. Are there alternatives?

Thanks

Guest101

Each agency has their own policies on this type of thing.


Put some money down to secure it if you're happy. Most wont want to progress for fear of mis-selling

Oakdene

Why not use a website such as spareroom as a temporary fix then when you are down there you can be in the position to visit & accept the property/

ED2

Dunkelmann wrote: »

I live several hundred miles away from where I want to move to (Wiltshire). I can find properties to rent easily enough through Internet searches.

Speaking to one letting agency, they say I have to visit a property before I can take it on.

These properties go quickly so by the time I can drive down, the property is likely to have gone. A visit involves a round trip of 900 miles and two overnight stops so it is expensive and tiring.

Does no agency allow acceptance over the phone/email? I understand the risks are all on me and I accept that. Are there alternatives?

Thanks

Doubt there all going to get snapped up as you make your journey mate, what I used to do is make a list of 4-5 viewings on one day, journey up the night before. I'd usually have a room/apartment by the end of my viewings.

FabFifty

Oakdene wrote: »

Why not use a website such as spareroom as a temporary fix then when you are down there you can be in the position to visit & accept the property/

Definitely the best option. Lots of rooms generally available and for short term lets. I've always found people on spareroom very helpful.

hazyjo

Could consider moving down with something like airbnb with a month's booking or more to give you actual time to search properly when you're there - and get local advice and a feel for the place (presuming you're not completely familiar with it).


Jx

caprikid1

Which town are you moving to ? We moved to Chippenham and found it difficult looking from Bristol , we were in London and that was impossible.

PasturesNew

I've done it a few times, I use spareroom/AirBNB to find something cheap in the area for a month - and use that month to go and look at the next move, which tends to be a houseshare.... then get established with a view to moving onto my own place within 3 months.

That way you also get exposed to people with opinions on areas and different areas, without having to pick one blind.

trailingspouse

We've done it twice.

The first time wasn't as far as you're going (3 hours each way). I made arrangements to see 6 or 7 different houses on the same day, and told all the agents that I would be making a decision that day and would need to be in the following Monday (all of which was true).

The second time, we'd been living abroad and were moving back to the UK. We knew the rough area we wanted to move to, and a budget, and looked online. When we found one we liked to look of, we asked OHs brother to go and have a look for us. The agent never insisted on us going personally, but they did insist on someone viewing it on our behalf.

Murphybear

Most agents/landlords won't be happy about renting to someone who hadn't seen a property. One issue, if the tenant had problems they are stuck there for 6 months.

We were looking for somewhere in Devon a few years ago while we were living in Northants. We booked a cheap holiday cottage for a week and combined the search with a holiday. We were lucky to find something the first day so enjoyed our unplanned holiday in Dawlish:D

Dunkelmann

We plan to retire to Trowbridge (or thereabouts). Unfortunately the equivalent of our house here would cost 50% more since we are moving from Scotland. Scottish law means once we commit to sell that's it, we cannot pull out if we don't have a place to go to!