Landlord choosing a tenant

J_blondie

The situation is I am a tenant trying to rent a new property.

I viewed the property on Monday of this week me and my husband liked it took our forms documents and everything with us filled in as we already had a feeling it would be right for us after trying to get a property in this particular area for some time.

A single man had viewed the property over a week ago and had taken some forms but hadn’t gone for it so as of Monday we knew it was still available and we went for it. The following morning the letting agent who is a family member by the way contacted me to say he had handed his forms in that same night just before closing so she will have to speak to the landlady and both will have to go forward to the landlord to look at.

I’m furious as I think someone has contacted him prior to our viewing seems too much of a coincidence he’s sat on it for a week and hands them in last minute. I haven’t said anything yet but the agency didn’t once get back to me to sort a viewing despite saying they would as it was still available, it’s only because of the family member working there that I managed to contact her direct. I would of been able to go for the house earlier if they would of actually rang a customer back!!

My question is what’s the likelihood of me my husband and my young child getting the tenancy over a single man? Desperate for the house

Marvel1

You both have a 50/50 chance, good luck.

warby68

Sorry but it sounds as if he had first dibs and you were only given a viewing at that stage due to pressure. It does sound a bit like you wanted to cut him out by everyone keeping quiet until you got your forms in first.

I actually think its fair enough he was prompted to get a move on if he still wanted it.

Good luck though, I understand the pressure when you have a family to house. Difficult to say whether a young family is preferred to a single man - both have possible pluses and minuses.

J_blondie

He didn’t have first dibs he had a viewing and a over a week before he didn’t even asked for an application form until 6 days later so the letting agent had stated to me as he hadn’t gone for it it’s open to others as they can’t wait on one person and refuse other viewings as you may know with renting you have to move fast.

It is unfair that he has been given a heads up as I’m sure if he would of really wanted it he would of gone for it ASAP that’s the part of renting that I’m sure he should of been aware of.

It’s in the letting agents interest to fill a property not keep it open for weeks for one person to make a decision

GrumpyDil

The agent works for the landlord. As a landlord I would want the agent to make sure that all interested parties had he opportunity to indicate if they wanted to rent the property.

I would then look at both and make a call on which looked more promising. I rent out two houses and they are both family homes so it is likely I would go for a family but I would expect the landlord to make a decision based on his property.

It's really no different to buying a house where a property we are currently looking at has several offers on the table which the seller is considering.

lewishardwick

What an outrage! I mean seriously how dare he submit his application before the deadline! How dare he!

Or of course, you could get a grip! Ive had plenty of property applications turned down because someone got there first/the landlord liked the other person more... It's life. Get on with it and go view other properties...

J_blondie

Haha Lewishardick really seems your more outraged than me! It’s called personal circumstances and trying and trying to get a new property for my family as mine isn’t liveable so yes if you have a child and can relate to needing a better home and finally finding one that’s affordable then is it’s almost ripped from your feet for someone who can’t make a decision then yes it is really hard “trying to get a grip”

I was merely asking who is more desirable candidate

J_blondie

thanks grumpydil your response was exactly what I was after

Davesnave

J_blondie wrote: »

My question is what’s the likelihood of me my husband and my young child getting the tenancy over a single man? Desperate for the house

Who gets a tenancy doesn't come down to some kind of 'fairness' test; it's usually decided on the basis of things like references, credit checks and the attractiveness of any offers of money up-front that applicants might make.

Your question seems to contain an assumption that a family might take priority over a single person, but that's not necessarily the way a landlord would look at it. Theirs is a business interest, so they are likely to choose tenants who they judge will cause the least hassle/wear and tear.

Mahsroh

J_blondie wrote: »

It is unfair that he has been given a heads up as I’m sure if he would of really wanted it he would of gone for it ASAP that’s the part of renting that I’m sure he should of been aware of.

I really don't think this is unfair. He viewed the property and made it clear he was interested. You don't know anything about his circumstances. He may have had to wait for a sale of a property to go through before he could commit, or get an agreement from his current landlord to terminate early, or be waiting for a job offer to come through. There are a whole host of reasons why he couldn't go for it "ASAP".


It's unfortunate for you, yes, and I wish you well with your application, but that's life, and you know nothing about the other applicants circumstances.

J_blondie

Fair comments I’m sure the the landlady will look at both and weigh up which is more suitable. For anyone with judgment until you have had to rent don’t judge it’s incredibly hard to secure somewhere