How long is reasonable to wait for a decision from a landlord?

drdog13

Hi all! I'm relocating for work to a city about 6 hours drive away from my current one (so popping up and down for viewings etc isn't possible, I've taken a week off work to come down and get it done). I had some viewings on Tuesday and found two places that I really liked - property A is my favourite, and property B my second choice. I took the advice from my family to apply for both places as lettings in my new city have gone so fast (was this okay? I feel a bit scuzzy doing it!) The landlord from property B said yes to me yesterday afternoon, so I've been sent some documents to fill in and sign and I'm anxiously sitting on them this morning. I still haven't heard from the landlord from property A, but the estate agents told me last night that they were chasing him up and I'd get an answer yesterday evening or this morning. The estate agent who showed me round did say that landlord A has been very picky and turned down lots of tenants. For context I'm a single non smoking female, nearly 30, no pets and work in an industry where I'm extremely lucky to have a job that's so secure despite covid. I had hoped that this would make me an attractive tenant!
How long is reasonable for a landlord to deliberate? I don't want to let down the other landlord as they've said yes to me very quickly, but property A was my favourite of the two. I'm worried if I wait much longer then I'll lose both places and have to start from scratch!
Thanks

bargainbetty

Tell the estate agent that unless you have an answer very quickly, you are signing elsewhere. 

To be honest, I'd prefer the landlord who is quick to respond and keen to be business-like. 

lookstraightahead

bargainbetty said:

Tell the estate agent that unless you have an answer very quickly, you are signing elsewhere. 

To be honest, I'd prefer the landlord who is quick to respond and keen to be business-like. 

Exactly this. 

Hebblethwaite

I would just take property B. The rental market is pretty crazy where I am as well. So much so that I ended up stuck in very basic shared hospital accommodation because I wasn't desirable enough to prospective landlords (I'm a little older than you, but also a non-smoking single doctor with no pets). Most landlords want tenants who will stay, not people who are likely to be moving around a lot, or in a good position to buy in the near future (which was what did for me.) 

Once you are in Property B, you can always think about moving in the future. If you miss out on Property B, then you may not find anywhere else.

Of course, if you liked Property B less because of something that really would make life miserable, then my answer would change! However, if it was just less perfect, then I would go for it!

drdog13

Thanks all! I signed for property B yesterday afternoon and I feel so much better with that weight off my shoulders. The things about it I wasn't sold on are minor niggles, and it's not my forever home (2-3 years probably) - plus it's a better location for my commute so overall I'm pleased with my decision. The current tenant has been there 5 years, which seems like a good sign.
I did ask the agency for an update on property A at about 2pm yesterday, and they said that I might hear on Friday or Monday (which is why I then went ahead with . Seems like a landlord who might be a bit tricky, and that's the last thing I want!

Hebblethwaite - I hadn't thought of the likelihood of buying angle! Ending up stuck in hospital accommodation was my worry too, I really value having my own space to relax after work so having somewhere sorted was starting to really play on me. Which city are you in if you don't mind me asking? I'm moving to Norwich and all the agencies say the rental market is crazy, although my friends up North are having similar problems so it seems to be a national thing.

Hebblethwaite

drdog13 said:

Thanks all! I signed for property B yesterday afternoon and I feel so much better with that weight off my shoulders. The things about it I wasn't sold on are minor niggles, and it's not my forever home (2-3 years probably) - plus it's a better location for my commute so overall I'm pleased with my decision. The current tenant has been there 5 years, which seems like a good sign.
I did ask the agency for an update on property A at about 2pm yesterday, and they said that I might hear on Friday or Monday (which is why I then went ahead with . Seems like a landlord who might be a bit tricky, and that's the last thing I want!

Hebblethwaite - I hadn't thought of the likelihood of buying angle! Ending up stuck in hospital accommodation was my worry too, I really value having my own space to relax after work so having somewhere sorted was starting to really play on me. Which city are you in if you don't mind me asking? I'm moving to Norwich and all the agencies say the rental market is crazy, although my friends up North are having similar problems so it seems to be a national thing.

I'm in Sheffield. Thankfully in the process of buying now, though it's taken longer than I had hoped to get to this stage! I had lived in various houses by myself for eight years before moving here, so hospital accommodation was definitely a shock to the system. However, there was no way to get a six-month tenancy agreement when I was moving, and to be in with a look-in at a 12-month tenancy agreement, you pretty much had to get the first viewing slot and hand over a holding deposit as you arrived (or else the second viewer of the day would get their's handed over before you had finished your viewing). Absolutely crazy. And I've heard of several cases of rentals going to "best and final" and people only getting to rent the property if they said they would throw in an extra £100+ a month. 

I lived in a horrible house in a horrible town for 2019/20 so at least I didn't come to the accommodation from a house I had loved!