Rent a house without a job

jeffrose

Hello, I'm not a British citizen and I'm shocked how much is difficult to rent a house without a job. I'm in Kent and I'd like to rent a house but I haven't a job because I have some savings ( around £50,000  in two bank accounts in my country) and I don't need to work to live for now.  I just want live in UK for 1 year.  I searched for a house on the usual site like rightmove, zoopla, openrent, onthemarket. I contacted many agencies, maybe all the agencies that are around for 15-20 km, but the first thing they want know is if I work and how I earn. I explained them that I don't work because I don't need to work. But none has replied me. Then a friend suggested me to try to offer 6 months upfront + deposit. But the story more or less is the same, they want 6 months, deposit and guarantor. I haven't a guarantor because I'm alone here, also nobody wants be a guarantor because in case of problem he must pay for me.  I asked to the agency if any guarantor service that are on internet could be ok but they answered me that they want someone I know.

In one case I offered an increased price for 6 months plus double deposit (I know that "double deposit" is illegal) but nothing.

I know that the simplest solution would be find a job but with the covid around I don't think this is safe for me, and also it's absurd!

Then are there other alternative solutions ?

steve866

Try and find something directly with a Landlord on gumtree of Facebook groups?

AdrianC

Look at it from the landlord's point of view.

You have zero roots here, and could just disappear at a moment's notice, leaving him with an empty property and a debt that's too hard to enforce.

Offering six months rent up-front does not guarantee months 7-12 will get paid, and it's also a favourite trick of people who want to use the property for less-than-legal purposes - dope-growing or a brothel.

So, yes, of course when there are several people looking to rent the property, he's going to go for the lower-risk - who also may well live there for longer than a year.

Hasbeen

jeffrose said:

 Then a friend suggested me to try to offer 6 months upfront + deposit. But the story more or less is the same, they want 6 months, deposit and guarantor. I haven't a guarantor because I'm alone here, also nobody wants be a guarantor because in case of problem he must pay for me.  

I know that the simplest solution would be find a job but with the covid around I don't think this is safe for me, and also it's absurd!

Then are there other alternative solutions ?

Your friend does not want to be your guarantor because there might be problems and he will have to pay for you?

You do not want to find a job? You only want to stay a year?

I can see what the landlords are thinking? They will positively go for the lower risk, longer staying, working applicants. 

As suggested try gumtree, perhaps for lower end rental properties or consider just renting a room and being a lodger.

tacpot12

Or stay in a cheap hotel or B&B. Speak to the owner about negotiating a cheap rate for a long term stay.

iwb100

How long are the  tenancy agreements? If 6 months then you are offering to pay the full amount upfront it’s crazy that isn’t getting the green light. If 12 months then offer to pay full amount up front. Without a guarantor or fixed income only way you will be able to rent is to pay the whole lot in advance in my experience. Because that way the landlord is guaranteed not to be out of pocket. 

AskAsk

best bet is to try to find a property that is advertised directly by the landlord and hope he trusts you.  having a big saving is not necessarily enough to prove that you have the capacity to pay the rent.  you could put all that on a 3 legged horse tomorrow and lose it all, then the landlord is stuck with you and can't chuck you out, or the 3 legged horse 

Hannimal

Hasbeen said:

Your friend does not want to be your guarantor because there might be problems and he will have to pay for you?

You do not want to find a job? You only want to stay a year?

I can see what the landlords are thinking? They will positively go for the lower risk, longer staying, working applicants. 

As suggested try gumtree, perhaps for lower end rental properties or consider just renting a room and being a lodger.

This is a bit unfair. Would you be a guarantor on a property for a friend? There is quite a lot of financial risk involved in doing so. I'd do it for a family member and maybe 1-2 good friends but not for anyone else - even if I'd happily recommend them as tenants and if I had a property I'd be happy to let for them. The guarantor carries a huge risk. 

I can also see the landlords' line of thinking. However I really do emphasise. UK is a really difficult place to live in if you're not wealthy and you're foreign. I have had places refuse to rent to me despite being on a reasonable income

eve824

Just offer the 12 months upfront if you have it in the bank. Therefore no risk to the landlord.

comeandgo

Could you try holiday lets? The holiday season is winding down and maybe you could get a deal with you staying a few months and paying up front.

AskAsk

Hannimal said:

Hasbeen said:

Your friend does not want to be your guarantor because there might be problems and he will have to pay for you?

You do not want to find a job? You only want to stay a year?

I can see what the landlords are thinking? They will positively go for the lower risk, longer staying, working applicants. 

As suggested try gumtree, perhaps for lower end rental properties or consider just renting a room and being a lodger.

This is a bit unfair. Would you be a guarantor on a property for a friend? There is quite a lot of financial risk involved in doing so. I'd do it for a family member and maybe 1-2 good friends but not for anyone else - even if I'd happily recommend them as tenants and if I had a property I'd be happy to let for them. The guarantor carries a huge risk. 

I can also see the landlords' line of thinking. However I really do emphasise. UK is a really difficult place to live in if you're not wealthy and you're foreign. I have had places refuse to rent to me despite being on a reasonable income

it is because the law in the UK protects the tenant and it is very difficult for the landlord to evict a tenant.  this makes landlords more cautious when they rent out their properties.  i used to watch judge judy, and in the states, it is a lot easier to throw tenants out who do not pay the rent.

people who are self employed also tend to find it more difficult to find rented accomodation.