The difficulty in finding a house to rent?

[Deleted User]

Cakeguts said:

Are you absolutely sure that there isn't something about you and your family that is putting landlords off renting to you?  This can be something as simple as owning a pet.  It could also be that you will have to give notice to your current landlord so that you can move and with a shortage of rental property available because landlords are selling up properties tend to go to tenants who can move in straight away.

Have you tried any of the build to rent companies in your area to see what they have available rather than small landlords?

None of agents around here allow pets so its not that,  Could be we have to give notice but for example the last property that we were chosen for was through the same agent as our current house so surely he would have know this? Its obviously not the letting agent that is shafting us, he is prioritizing us its when it goes to the landlord they seem to go solo probably to avoid having to pay the letting agent fee's, they get a bit of free advertising on the letting agent's site then someone who knows them contacts the landlord directly.

Jaybee_16

In January circumstances meant that I needed to rent a property for the first time.

First problem was only needing it for about 6 months whilst my purchase was proceeding whereas many landlords want 12 months minimum. Next problem was no guarantor or references but as I have the sale proceeds of my flat in the bank, it seemed that sending a copy of my bank statement showing the amount in the account overcame that one.

View a property, spend about 10 minutes in the car thinking about it, phone the letting agent to be told it had gone. After the third time of this happening, I viewed a maisonette and told the agent there and then that I wanted it. Wasn't ideal but I needed somewhere to rent.

Rental properties are let as soon as they hit the market.

Now my 6 months is coming to an end, agent asked if he could bring people to view one afternoon. Didn't matter to me as I'd moved out two months ago. Three viewed and flat let from next week when my tenancy ends. The place was ok but really needs redecorating but people seem to desperate to find somewhere to rent they'll take it anyway.

GeordieGeorge

How are you dressed and presented when you view? As well as wanting the rent paid on time landlords also hope for their property to be looked after and rightly or wrongly someone whose shirt is freshly pressed, who’s shoes are polished, and who seems “professional” gives a better impression on that front.

[Deleted User]

Jaybee_16 said:

In January circumstances meant that I needed to rent a property for the first time.

First problem was only needing it for about 6 months whilst my purchase was proceeding whereas many landlords want 12 months minimum. Next problem was no guarantor or references but as I have the sale proceeds of my flat in the bank, it seemed that sending a copy of my bank statement showing the amount in the account overcame that one.

View a property, spend about 10 minutes in the car thinking about it, phone the letting agent to be told it had gone. After the third time of this happening, I viewed a maisonette and told the agent there and then that I wanted it. Wasn't ideal but I needed somewhere to rent.

Rental properties are let as soon as they hit the market.

Now my 6 months is coming to an end, agent asked if he could bring people to view one afternoon. Didn't matter to me as I'd moved out two months ago. Three viewed and flat let from next week when my tenancy ends. The place was ok but really needs redecorating but people seem to desperate to find somewhere to rent they'll take it anyway.

Yeah this is what’s happening, gone are the days of reviewing applications etc, get in first, I’ll take it and it’s yours it seems.

[Deleted User]

GeordieGeorge said:

How are you dressed and presented when you view? As well as wanting the rent paid on time landlords also hope for their property to be looked after and rightly or wrongly someone whose shirt is freshly pressed, who’s shoes are polished, and who seems “professional” gives a better impression on that front.

It’s the letting agent that does the viewings, the letting agent knows us knows we’ve never missed a payment, it’s him who is giving us priority of whatever properties he gets.

GeordieGeorge

Deleted_User said:

GeordieGeorge said:

How are you dressed and presented when you view? As well as wanting the rent paid on time landlords also hope for their property to be looked after and rightly or wrongly someone whose shirt is freshly pressed, who’s shoes are polished, and who seems “professional” gives a better impression on that front.

It’s the letting agent that does the viewings, the letting agent knows us knows we’ve never missed a payment, it’s him who is giving us priority of whatever properties he gets.

They are also likely to have the word “professional” in a great many of the landlords’ preferences. I have it in mine, and leave it up to the agents to make a judgement as to what that means.

yksi

You talk about suspicion that some kind of process isn't being followed and you indicate you're being treated unfairly but that you don't really have proof the agents are doing the wrong thing. I have bad news for you, you don't have any rights to any particular process in this regard. Here is how it goes.

Owner asks the agent to find them a tenant. Agent advertises property. People show interest; it's the agent's job to vet them according to any wishes of the owner (the owner can say they don't want kids in the property, for example). There is no legal protection for a family rejected for no reason other than having kids, and in fact, if the agent doesn't tell you why you weren't successful, there's nothing you can do. Basically they're allowed to pick who gets to rent it and it's tough.

The best tenants are always two working adults without any kids. Always. So even if you have the rent money ready to go, there was probably a couple who also applied and have no kids. The owner and the agent both know that's a better tenant and the risks of damage or missing rent are lower. Sorry, but life can be unfair like that. A few years ago they might not have had any better applications than yours, but in today's market they can pick and choose.

As for being suspicious about a property being available in the morning but gone in the afternoon, it's fact right now. Properties get dozens of applicants within hours of going online. The agent probably told you the truth. You were just too slow - you should not be surprised when you yourself know there are hardly any properties available!

[Deleted User]

yksi said:

You talk about suspicion that some kind of process isn't being followed and you indicate you're being treated unfairly but that you don't really have proof the agents are doing the wrong thing. I have bad news for you, you don't have any rights to any particular process in this regard. Here is how it goes.

Owner asks the agent to find them a tenant. Agent advertises property. People show interest; it's the agent's job to vet them according to any wishes of the owner (the owner can say they don't want kids in the property, for example). There is no legal protection for a family rejected for no reason other than having kids, and in fact, if the agent doesn't tell you why you weren't successful, there's nothing you can do. Basically they're allowed to pick who gets to rent it and it's tough.

The best tenants are always two working adults without any kids. Always. So even if you have the rent money ready to go, there was probably a couple who also applied and have no kids. The owner and the agent both know that's a better tenant and the risks of damage or missing rent are lower. Sorry, but life can be unfair like that. A few years ago they might not have had any better applications than yours, but in today's market they can pick and choose.

As for being suspicious about a property being available in the morning but gone in the afternoon, it's fact right now. Properties get dozens of applicants within hours of going online. The agent probably told you the truth. You were just too slow - you should not be surprised when you yourself know there are hardly any properties available!

Yes I am well aware I don't have any right to a property, I am not blaming the agents, agents are not the problem, the problem seems to be when we are put forward to the landlord.  It could well be the child thing, The thing we have going in our favour is 15+ years of renting experience, zero late payments and glowing references, the letting agent said we could even use him as a reference, we are also long term renters, not one of these 6 - 12 month jobs that most young couples seem to do while they are building or buying their first home.  I thought this would give us preference over the couple renting for the first time.

[Deleted User]

GeordieGeorge said:

Deleted_User said:

GeordieGeorge said:

How are you dressed and presented when you view? As well as wanting the rent paid on time landlords also hope for their property to be looked after and rightly or wrongly someone whose shirt is freshly pressed, who’s shoes are polished, and who seems “professional” gives a better impression on that front.

It’s the letting agent that does the viewings, the letting agent knows us knows we’ve never missed a payment, it’s him who is giving us priority of whatever properties he gets.

They are also likely to have the word “professional” in a great many of the landlords’ preferences. I have it in mine, and leave it up to the agents to make a judgement as to what that means.

The professional thing seems to have vanished around here, probably because professional wouldn't be renting in the first place or those who do is only short term while they build or buy their first home.

yksi

Deleted_User said:
Yes I am well aware I don't have any right to a property, I am not blaming the agents, agents are not the problem, the problem seems to be when we are put forward to the landlord.  It could well be the child thing, The thing we have going in our favour is 15+ years of renting experience, zero late payments and glowing references, the letting agent said we could even use him as a reference, we are also long term renters, not one of these 6 - 12 month jobs that most young couples seem to do while they are building or buying their first home.  I thought this would give us preference over the couple renting for the first time.

Well, it would only give you preference if the owner asked for someone known to be reliable. But they don't. They never do, they just ask for a "good tenant" and they do often say no kids and animals, sadly. Then they trust the agents' expertise. I worked in property management and it's really quite simple, the factors which cause damage are kids, animals and lack of employment. Double-income-no-kids are always going to be the top choice.

Renting is like going for a job interview. It's not enough to show that you could do the job ok, because they will only pick the best person. You need to appear to be the best person. Some of that is out of your control but being bitter that you were treated unfairly isn't very productive. The best thing you can do is sharpen your game so that you beat the others. As was said, dress like a job interview. That means you in a sports jacket or your partner in corporate attire. Do not take the kids with you. Check the listings twice a day and contact them immediately. Have everything ready including references. When you view it, be prepared to say yes on the spot. That might mean having a phone with you with your partner on the line because they haven't seen it yet... but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Good luck.