What are the real possibilities on renting a private property

Masha_2

I'm divorcing my husband and after trying to cohabit for a while, its really unbearable to live like that. the mortgage is in his sole name. It's me and our daughter. 
I have the possibilities to pay for rent and also have guarantor, also have a considerable amount of savings to show affordability, also I'm willing to pay in advance the 6 months. 
Even though all this seems so difficult, as long they hear it's me only and my daughter, they turn me down, and when they ask if I have landlord reference... I cannot provide this, I haven't rented for the last 12 years. 
Please, if you any advice on this, I don't know how to get a descent place on the areas I want. I'm not even offered to see a  property. Is this something common?
I checked also the properties are up for rent too and they are asking that 3 times income of the rental cost! 
Thanks a lot!

Comms69

do you have an income? 

Rambosmum

Have you told agents you can pay upfront and have considerable savings? 
Find a property online, call the agent and ask for a viewing. You shouldn't be expecting the agent to find you properties and ofer you viewings - you need to find and ask. 

AdrianC

Trouble with "But we can pay six months up front" is that that's a common tactic from people wishing to use properties for less-than-legitimate purposes - either recreational gardening or ladies of negotiable virtue.

Even without that - if you don't have any income, then the landlord is going to be asking how you are going to be able to afford the rent in the future. Chances are that you're committing to a 12mo minimum tenancy, and the landlord has very little chance of seeing his property back for an extended period once that initial 6mo rent-paid period has ended and if rent is not being paid.

Can we ask a rough age for your daughter? Are you able/willing to work? Will you be able to earn more than minimum wage? Is full-time possible, or will you be restricted to part-time because of childcare?

bouicca21

When this happened to me (my commiserations, know how horrible this situation is) I found a place and was accepted on passing the credit check.  I still remember that the agent was surprised that my credit score was so high, that should have been a clue that the landlord was a dodgy one.  Keep looking, make friends with the letting agents. Something will come available.

Financially,  moving out was not a good move as it meant my ex had no incentive to sell our house and sort out a settlement.  I hope you have taken good advice on a settlement - have you registered matrimonial home rights? And get yourself over to wikivorce for practical and emotional support.

The other thing I remember about moving out was how the stress just rolled off me as I made the journey to my rental.  Financially poor choice; but best choice ever for my mental health.

It gets better.

Hasbeen

Masha_2 said:

I'm divorcing my husband and after trying to cohabit for a while, its really unbearable to live like that. the mortgage is in his sole name. It's me and our daughter. 
I have the possibilities to pay for rent and also have guarantor, also have a considerable amount of savings to show affordability, also I'm willing to pay in advance the 6 months. 
Even though all this seems so difficult, as long they hear it's me only and my daughter, they turn me down, and when they ask if I have landlord reference... I cannot provide this, I haven't rented for the last 12 years. 
Please, if you any advice on this, I don't know how to get a descent place on the areas I want. I'm not even offered to see a  property. Is this something common?
I checked also the properties are up for rent too and they are asking that 3 times income of the rental cost! 
Thanks a lot!

Perhaps not ideal to some renters etc. But quite a few private landlords do not go through agencies.

Especially in my area. Lots of landlords with just one property to rent out.

Look on sites like gumtree and cherry pick potentials.

Falafels

Regarding the six months rent up front - while there are mutterings about cannabis farms and brothels, I've rented two properties in the last ten years offering six months rent up front. I had no trouble at all.

As for references, with the first one I explained that I hadn't rented since the 1980's and couldn't give a landlord's reference, but I gave them a previous employer's one and that of a very respectable friend, and that was fine too. That one didn't go through an agency, though, so it's worth looking at properties being rented out using other means. Do you subscribe to social media at all? Have any friends who might know someone? Have you tried websites like Spareroom.com? (Despite the name, you can search for entire properties rather than just a room or flatshare, and many private individuals advertise on there.)

It can be a difficult process, and you have to be proactive - but I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to find somewhere.

Good luck!

fiwen30

If you’re part way though the divorce process, I suggest speaking to your solicitor first and finding out what way you voluntarily leaving the marital home will impact on what financial assistance you’re due to receive from him.

I know it must be tough still living there, I’ve been through it myself, but please make sure you’re not leaving yourself and your daughter financially vulnerable by moving out.

Slithery

gordonharrison said:

If you are able to pay six months or even a year in advance then you won’t need a guarantor

Incorrect.

ancientofdays

Perhaps look at OpenRent 

Masha_2

Comms69 said:

do you have an income? 

Yes I do from few hours of self employment. also child maintenance and child tax credits and I would be eligible for housing benefit too. altogether makes me capable to pay the rent I´m looking for. I realise that when the agency asks about income, they automatically turn down that part of the rent would be paid by housing benefit.