First time renter

AimHigh

Hi all,

This is an incredibly basic question but much of the advice I've found tends to be about things you should do POST finding a place rather than PRE finding a place.

Myself and my partner are actively looking for a place to rent - I'm checking the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla on a daily basis as well as the sites of the local EAs. I've also subscribed to the EAs websites/set up alerts on RM etc so that I can be notified when a new property that fits our criteria goes up. Places in this area go so quickly and although I'm told that they regularly go up for rent, I've not seen a single one go up within the last month (probably not a long time in the grand scheme of things but we're pretty desperate to move ASAP!).

So I guess the question is this - can anyone recommend any other websites or 'tactics' on how you can go about being amongst the first to find out about a new property?

I've read about people suggesting dropping by the EAs on a regular basis so that they get to know you and then think about you as soon as a new property crops up but I live in a completely different part of the country so that's not feasible. I'm worried that ringing them on a weekly basis would only end up irritating them and actually achieve the opposite?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated please - apologies that it's such a novice question.

Thanks in advance,
AH

00ec25

most EAs will run a list of people interested in renting just that same as they do for prospective purchasers.

whether that means you are informed of properties any quicker than they appear on the websites you mention is a moot point, but it can't hurt.

HouseBuyer77

I don't think rental agents will bother with lists of interested parties if properties get let very soon after being advertised. Why would they? It's work to phone around people and ask if they'd be interested so if people will come to you there's little point.

Keeping on top of adverts and jumping on stuff as soon as you can can be the only way. Though sounds like there are no properties that you actually wait being put up for rent? Maybe you need to consider relaxing your criteria. Take a look on right move and every property available for rent at your maximum budget and below. You don't need to examine them all in detail but just have a quick browse, it'll give you a good idea of the market and the kinds of things that are available.

The other thing to consider is you don't have to go via an agent, find places landlords will advertise direct, gumtree is one however they'll often be specific local websites/notice boards/publications too. Simply googling 'Location classifieds' or 'Location house/flat/property to rent' may find these.

AimHigh

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

Maybe you need to consider relaxing your criteria. Take a look on right move and every property available for rent at your maximum budget and below. You don't need to examine them all in detail but just have a quick browse, it'll give you a good idea of the market and the kinds of things that are available.

I think our criteria are already pretty relaxed. It doesn't help that I'm impatient as we want to move ASAP but I thought a month seemed like a substantial time period for a supposedly busy area? That's what led me to wonder whether people could somehow get preference i.e., the EA might give them a call before they even put it on their site etc. If that's not the case then perhaps I just need more patience!

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

The other thing to consider is you don't have to go via an agent, find places landlords will advertise direct, gumtree is one however they'll often be specific local websites/notice boards/publications too. Simply googling 'Location classifieds' or 'Location house/flat/property to rent' may find these.

Thanks, I'll certainly give this a try. Although would going directly to a landlord pose more of a risk to us at all? I guess you can get shady landlords anywhere but perhaps EAs do some form of due diligence etc?

HouseBuyer77

I thought a month seemed like a substantial time period for a supposedly busy area?

Indeed, this is why I suggest you cast a general eye around rightmove. Maybe what you want is in short supply but there's other stuff or maybe the rental market in general just doesn't have much.

It's certainly possible EAs are giving people preferences (e.g. in a previous rental place we received an S21 as the LL was selling, the agent suggested another property they managed that was coming up for rent which we went for). So ringing around EAs and asking can't hurt, but don't be surprised if you don't get much luck.

Google 'location rental agents' small local agents perhaps don't do rightmove listings. Also you may find not all properties an agent has for rent as currently listed on rightmove. So check out individual agency sites.

Although would going directly to a landlord pose more of a risk to us at all?

Indeed it can do, scams abound (especially on sites like gumtree) but there's also decent landlords and good property to be found (the landlord may hate the local agents as much as the tenants do so prefers the DIY approach). Shelter has a few tips here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns_/fixing_private_renting/evict_rogue_landlords/avoid_landlord_scams.

Overall though just be careful. e.g. Landlord telling you to snoop around the outside of the house but they can't get there with the keys, then wanting you to send cash or western union money transfer? Clearly dodgy behavior. Don't go handing over money til you've got a contract etc.

Just found this site: https://www.openrent.co.uk/ seems to be some kind of minimal nationwide agency, apparently advertises on rightmove but worth checking directly.

AimHigh

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

Indeed, this is why I suggest you cast a general eye around rightmove. Maybe what you want is in short supply but there's other stuff or maybe the rental market in general just doesn't have much.

It's certainly possible EAs are giving people preferences (e.g. in a previous rental place we received an S21 as the LL was selling, the agent suggested another property they managed that was coming up for rent which we went for). So ringing around EAs and asking can't hurt, but don't be surprised if you don't get much luck.

Google 'location rental agents' small local agents perhaps don't do rightmove listings. Also you may find not all properties an agent has for rent as currently listed on rightmove. So check out individual agency sites.



Indeed it can do, scams abound (especially on sites like gumtree) but there's also decent landlords and good property to be found (the landlord may hate the local agents as much as the tenants do so prefers the DIY approach). Shelter has a few tips here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns_/fixing_private_renting/evict_rogue_landlords/avoid_landlord_scams.

Overall though just be careful. e.g. Landlord telling you to snoop around the outside of the house but they can't get there with the keys, then wanting you to send cash or western union money transfer? Clearly dodgy behavior. Don't go handing over money til you've got a contract etc.

Just found this site: https://www.openrent.co.uk/ seems to be some kind of minimal nationwide agency, apparently advertises on rightmove but worth checking directly.

Thanks for your help, really appreciate the advice.

I've done most of the above so hopefully somewhere will turn up soon :beer:

dimbo61

Have you considered easyroomate or Spareroom ?

AimHigh

dimbo61 wrote: »

Have you considered easyroomate or Spareroom ?

Thanks Dimbo, I've been keeping an eye on Spareroom as well.

If it comes down to it and absolutely nothing comes up then we will consider house sharing until something does come up.

AH