How to find the right property to rent?

gyorfitam

How do you look for a property to rent when you are planning to move?
I am getting instant notifications from Rightmove, OnTheMarket and Zoopla. I set it up for a certain price, minimum room number and area and it seems it works fine but one thing is bugging me. Is it normal that I'm calling the agency within 10 minutes after I got the notification and they say, there is already no space for visit. I'm not sure if I get the notification later or is it really like a hyena fight for some reason? If anyone knows what's going on, I would appreciate the explanation .

need_an_answer

When you call the agents have you asked about being put on a list to be notified of upcoming properties?

I am aware that it can take a couple of hours to load info onto the likes of RM before it goes live,this is the time that you want the agents to be hopefully contacting you.

Are you looking in an area where property goes quickly?
I live in one such area and ATM its not uncommon for good rentals to be advertised on an open day scenario and bookings easily reaching 12 in that day...

I think you need to try and build a rapport with agents in the hope they advise you before the advert hits the internet.

tom9980

There is a lack of supply in my area right now. I have just agreed to let a property for £775 a month 5 years ago I let it at £625 a month, it is getting very tough for tenants especially as the LHA rate is £664 a month for the property.

I didn't even advertise widely because I wasn't sure when my current tenant could leave and had some good tenants apply before selecting this new one. I would advise registering with agents, asking friends and talking to everyone you know, even asking on local Facebook groups.

timeism0ney

We moved in February this year and this was exactly the situation for good rentals. We got ours by noticing the property going up on Rightmove just after 5pm, leaving a voicemail with the agency, following up 9am on the dot the next day, viewing as soon as the agency could do it (the day after) and signing the papers and paying fees there and then. No one else got a chance to view this property.

sal_III

It might happen if the area is highly sought after. I would suggest instead, to sign up at the local LAs that are most active in the area. In some cases a property might not even reach RM/Zoopla if they have extensive lists of interested people.

Also if memory serves correctly RM doesn't send notification at the second the property goes up, but instead once a day/week aggregating several properties, by which time it might be too late.

Slithery

Have you looked at OpenRent?

gyorfitam

I was not thinking about to get notifications from agents. Are they really doing it?
Yes, properties are going crazy fast. And it feels like this is especially true in the area we are looking for (I'm unsure why, I wouldn't think of it as the most popular area in the town but it seems like it is popular for whatever reason).
Actually that's what I'm doing, I'm having instant notification on each sites and trying to react as fast as I physically can. So far it's still not enough.

gyorfitam

Slithery wrote: »

Have you looked at OpenRent?

Yes but it seems the properties are more expensive there. Is there a reason for it?

Slithery

What area are you looking in? I've always found OpenRent properties to be slightly cheaper as the landlord isn't paying EA fees.

gyorfitam

BS5 and BS15

gyorfitam

Update: We tried to register with agencies, non of them were doing it this way, everyone said, check Rightmove, they are uploading there everything.
It's extremely challenging to even have a viewing. This week 3 from 4 viewings were cancelled. The one we could actually visit, applied for it, waiting for their response.
One of the agent said, we are trying the worst possible period of the year, because a lot of students are looking for properties as well. He said it should be better from October. We'll see...