Renting a room without a reference

Jasonh2015

Hi all, sorry if it’s been asked before! I’ve got a job opportunity in Bury, Manchester and only need to rent a room. All the places I’m looking at require a reference, but I’ve always lived at home. I looked on Spare Room, affordability isn’t an issue thou 🤓 thanks 

theartfullodger

Get mum/dad to provide a full, honest, reference - if paid in full & on time, looked after place, created any problems with any other occupants.

It's entirely up to landlord/agent what references, if any, are required.  My best ever tenants had a reference from a neighbour or "Mr Artful, they very nice people" (they were, no other UK history available..).  

there are no rules over references

canaldumidi

theartfullodger said:

Get mum/dad to provide a full, honest, reference - if paid in full & on time, looked after place, created any problems with any other occupants.

It's entirely up to landlord/agent what references, if any, are required.  My best ever tenants had a reference from a neighbour or "Mr Artful, they very nice people" (they were, no other UK history available..).  

there are no rules over references

Don'd confuse the OP artful!

Assuming this is Eng/Wales, you'll (almost certainly) be a lodger, not a tenant. There's a big difference legally, and in practical terms, references in house-shares or 'room in house' with a landlord, tend to be much less demanded or demanding. But it all depends what the landlord(s) want.

Though artful is right that even with tenants, landlord requirements can vary.

Post 10: Lodgers: advice & links for landlords & lodgers

MaryNB

canaldumidi said:

theartfullodger said:

Get mum/dad to provide a full, honest, reference - if paid in full & on time, looked after place, created any problems with any other occupants.

It's entirely up to landlord/agent what references, if any, are required.  My best ever tenants had a reference from a neighbour or "Mr Artful, they very nice people" (they were, no other UK history available..).  

there are no rules over references

Don'd confuse the OP artful!

Assuming this is Eng/Wales, you'll (almost certainly) be a lodger, not a tenant. There's a big difference legally, and in practical terms, references in house-shares or 'room in house' with a landlord, tend to be much less demanded or demanding. But it all depends what the landlord(s) want.

Though artful is right that even with tenants, landlord requirements can vary.

Post 10: Lodgers: advice & links for landlords & lodgers

At the risk of causing further confusion I took the OP as potentially meaning renting a room in houseshares as a tenant. Any renters I knew when I was a grad (and all the new grads in my current office) were in houseshares with live-out landlords - I would have gone with "almost certainly" a tenant, from my own experience. Personally I wouldn't choose being a lodger over being a tenant in a househare. 

I've rented rooms in houseshares in England and was on a joint contracts for whole properties and from my own experience they were fairly similar terms of referencing. Some were carried out by landlords, some agencies using third party referencing companies. Each time I was asked to fill out applications which included employer contact details, previous landlord details, previous addresses, sometimes bank statements etc. From memory, I think the landlords I had had more stringent requirements, only they asked for guarantors. 

I told my first letting agency I lived at home previously and gave my parents' contact details. It wasn't an issue. Most people have to move out of their parents' for first first time at some stage. 

FreeBear

theartfullodger said: It's entirely up to landlord/agent what references, if any, are required.

As a (live in) landlord, I've not bothered with references. Perhaps I should have done with one pair... Or it could be that I've been lucky with the last one, and she has never caused me any problems.

The only way the OP will know is if he contacts the prospective landlord and asks.

canaldumidi

MaryNB said:

canaldumidi said:

theartfullodger said:

Get mum/dad to provide a full, honest, reference - if paid in full & on time, looked after place, created any problems with any other occupants.

It's entirely up to landlord/agent what references, if any, are required.  My best ever tenants had a reference from a neighbour or "Mr Artful, they very nice people" (they were, no other UK history available..).  

there are no rules over references

Don'd confuse the OP artful!

Assuming this is Eng/Wales, you'll (almost certainly) be a lodger, not a tenant. There's a big difference legally, and in practical terms, references in house-shares or 'room in house' with a landlord, tend to be much less demanded or demanding. But it all depends what the landlord(s) want.

Though artful is right that even with tenants, landlord requirements can vary.

Post 10: Lodgers: advice & links for landlords & lodgers

At the risk of causing further confusion I took the OP as potentially meaning renting a room in houseshares as a tenant. .....

Good point.

OP - if you are or become confused about your status in any prospective 'room', come back for further help with full details.

Jasonh2015

Thanks all, reassured me a bit 😬 hopefully i get the job and can actually look to buy a house at some point as well. London isn’t affordable! Manchester’s a nice City and affordable 🤓

RAS

A lot will also want your employer's details and a reference confirming your contract.

seven-day-weekend

Also, as well as your parents' reference,  maybe an employer's reference or one from someone other than your parents who could say you are a reliable and trustworthy person (someone like a former teacher or youth leader) would be useful.

TripleH

The tram line in from Bury is one of the quicker terminals to the centre. All I would say is the centre of Bury has muddled together rather than sensibly evolved if you have to drive.

Niv

You could consider using airBNB that way you may be able to use reviews received from there. Also, that's another place to look for lodgings in general.