Trying to rent whilst being an agency worker/contractor

Enforce1

Hi - I am currently renting and have been given notice.  There is a shortage of properties in the area as is common place.  I am currently in a contract role working in local government.  The issue is some estate agents will not even consider me.  It was a 3 month contract that was then extended by another six months and it is likely that that scenario will be repeated.  I was a contractor at previous place for 18 months until Covid arrived, but then they offered me a full time position.  I returned to contracting after a while with another authority.

I have considerable savings, my annual salary is good, the demand for my specialism is also good, so work is 'almost' guaranteed - and also I have a guarantor.  My savings would comfortably cover six months rent.  It could stretch to 4 years.

Obviously I would not be able to access any social housing or council housing as my income and financial foundation is sound.

Does anyone have any tips that could assist me on trying to persuade the reluctant estate agents?  I have been in full time employment all my life with no real breaks and my credit rating is near perfect (about 997 out of 999).

Any full time employee could be let go at any time and not be able to pay the rent so its not like its a 100% guarantee that a full time employee will not suffer issues.  Also a guarantor could earn £100k a year but have a £90k gambling habit...

All wisdom gratefully received!

Auntycaz

I was refused a one bedroom flat as they said I didn't earn enough even though I had a guarantor if needed. It also needed a lot of TLC. I then found a 2 bedroom house only slightly more per month with a local estate agent who looked at my references which showed I had never missed my rent and the fact that I had money in the bank, instead of just asking how much I earned.
 I hope you manage to find an understanding estate agent and landlord.
 Good luck with your house hunting.  

Slithery

Try https://www.openrent.co.uk as it tends to have more landlords that you can speak to directly rather than the usual 'computer says no' situation.

Enforce1

Thank you.

I think having the conversation with landlord is more sensible.  Without bragging I have more than enough money/guarantor to cover any rental loss for years and years.

It is just contracting earns me a lot more money than full time employee, and I can move about whenever, changing scenery - usually each time earning more...