Any other way then open rent to not have to deal with cretinous estate agents when wanting to rent?

cashmonger

I am thinking about moving again and have been thinking one of the most stressful things to have to deal with has been the estate agents. It always felt like they were the gatekeepers holding your new home to ransom under extortionate fees and they are nearly always rude and have a chip on their shoulder when dealing with you.

Open rent is great, love that site; very much in keeping with MSE philosophies . I suppose that will be the best bet?

The only thing is there is less to choose from for what I am after since I like new build type apartments in city centres but there is still enough I guess I just have to be more patient since I am not on a deadline to move like I have been in the past.

I would like to avoid estate agents completely this time.

I know there is gumtree and such but I think they would be very sparse and not the types of places I was looking for but could get luck with someone posting there if they wanted to move in a hurry or something. I think openrent will be the goto though since I don't believe in luck.

lisyloo

Our first rental was via colleague. Have you thought about advertising amongst people in your circle or at least asking/looking at notice boards within the circle of people you know.
If you work with professional people chances are some of them are landlords also.

cashmonger

I don't have a circle. I work alone at home and social life is non existent, hence the impetus to move.

Voyager2002

You could advertise: I found my first tenants because they advertised on a postcard outside a newsagent's shop. Most supermarkets have a noticeboard for small advertisements and you often see properties for rent or wanted there.


And not all letting agents are bad (although most are): some former colleagues described good experiences being tenants through one agency, and so I decided to use them.

Comms69

Come June 1st there will be no more fees

lisyloo

Where are you? Perhaps someone can recommend a good agent.
I can recommend a good one in London.

cashmonger

Comms69 wrote: »

Come June 1st there will be no more fees

I wondered when that was coming in (or if it had already); I was reading about it planning to be passed 2 years ago when I was moving last time.

I remember reading the landlords claiming it would be futile since the landlords (or was it the agents?) will just raise the rent on the tenants instead though whether that will happen we shall see.

Now I did a quick read I think what I read is that they predicted the fees the tenant doesn't have to pay would be lumped onto increased fees for the landlord and in turn then the landlord would increase rent to make up for that extra hit.

I think I read they said the same in scotland where it has already been passed and it was an empty threat.

Finchy2018

cashmonger wrote: »

I wondered when that was coming in (or if it had already); I was reading about it planning to be passed 2 years ago when I was moving last time.

I remember reading the landlords claiming it would be futile since the landlords (or was it the agents?) will just raise the rent on the tenants instead though whether that will happen we shall see.

Now I did a quick read I think what I read is that they predicted the fees the tenant doesn't have to pay would be lumped onto increased fees for the landlord and in turn then the landlord would increase rent to make up for that extra hit.

I think I read they said the same in scotland where it has already been passed and it was an empty threat.

One agent I am aware of have already increased their fee to the landlord to start to prepare for this loss. It's going to affect them massively, colleagues have quit the industry. She is lucky as she deals with both sales and lettings so will recoup some of the loss,

gingercordial

In my area there is a local Facebook group that often has posts from people looking for a place to rent (either wanting to move within the area or thinking of moving to it) and posts from landlords or outgoing tenants with places available. See if where you want to live has one of those and join it. Like a modern version of cards in a shop window I suppose.

cashmonger

Finchy2018 wrote: »

One agent I am aware of have already increased their fee to the landlord to start to prepare for this loss. It's going to affect them massively, colleagues have quit the industry. She is lucky as she deals with both sales and lettings so will recoup some of the loss,

Aww those poor things. :rotfl:

MEM62

cashmonger wrote: »

Now I did a quick read I think what I read is that they predicted the fees the tenant doesn't have to pay would be lumped onto increased fees for the landlord and in turn then the landlord would increase rent to make up for that extra hit.

That has partially been my experience. As the agents managing my rental property cannot now charge my tenant for regularly renewing the lease two things have happened. Firstly, all of a sudden and completely by coincidence rolling monthly agreements are now OK where they were not before. The cynic in me is assuming that the annual renewal of the TA has been dropped because it is no longer a revenue steam for the EA.

Secondly, they have attempted an increase the fees that they charge me. In my case I pay for a comprehensive service which included a guarantee should the tenant default on the rent. This is now apparently is no longer included in my 'comprehensive' service and is now a chargeable extra.

I have rejected the additional charge as it is clearly included in the contract that I currently have with the EA. They have been advised that I am willing to re-negotiate the contract but that would mean tearing up the current agreement, which would leave me free to also negotiate with other agents and potentially walk away.

Whatever the outcome I have a great tenant and I will not be passing any costs onto her.