OpenRent vs Traditional Letting Agent?

BungalowBel

Much prefer OpenRent.  In my experience, Lettings Agents just rent to the first person who passes the referencing, whereas you might want to decide between two or three suitable candidates.

Green_hopeful

Sorry for the delay in replying. Open rents credit reference process was rubbish. We normally just ask for some bank statements and payslips to show what they are paying and income. 

gazfocus

Green_hopeful said:

Sorry for the delay in replying. Open rents credit reference process was rubbish. We normally just ask for some bank statements and payslips to show what they are paying and income. 

What was rubbish about OpenRent's referencing if you don't mind me asking? I've looked at the example report and it seems quite thorough. 

I've looked at the NRLA application form as was thinking of using their referencing as well but there's some bits even I wouldn't wish to disclose to a landlord (detailed info about loans, credit cards, store cards, etc). 

Just thinking if we do the referencing through OpenRent as well, it makes it a bit easier from the tenants point of view. 

[Deleted User]

Successfully used Openrent to find 3 tenants within the last 9 months.

I select my tenants myself assessing their affordability and referencing.

Openrent costs me £49 but takes a lot of patience to get the right tenant.

There are also time wasters and people who simply do not meet the criteria required.

Screening questions helps a lot. If confident with it can find own tenant but if help needed nothing also wrong with traditional agents.

I also signed u to a few landlords forums and NRLA. 

gazfocus

Zoe02 said:

Successfully used Openrent to find 3 tenants within the last 9 months.

I select my tenants myself assessing their affordability and referencing.

Openrent costs me £49 but takes a lot of patience to get the right tenant.

There are also time wasters and people who simply do not meet the criteria required.

Screening questions helps a lot. If confident with it can find own tenant but if help needed nothing also wrong with traditional agents.

I also signed u to a few landlords forums and NRLA. 

We went with OpenRent in the end but not using the Rent Now service this time round. 

I do get the distinct impression that prospective tenants feel like OpenRent properties are easy targets. Had one person enquire wanting us to do a HMO, other people that have credit issues or having to include adult children’s salary’s to meet the income required and a fair few that just didn’t bother responding to the screening questions we sent, even thought we sent a reminder after 24 hours. 

It’s definitely been an eye opening experience but will definitely be looking closely at affordability etc. 

[Deleted User]

gazfocus said:

Zoe02 said:

Successfully used Openrent to find 3 tenants within the last 9 months.

I select my tenants myself assessing their affordability and referencing.

Openrent costs me £49 but takes a lot of patience to get the right tenant.

There are also time wasters and people who simply do not meet the criteria required.

Screening questions helps a lot. If confident with it can find own tenant but if help needed nothing also wrong with traditional agents.

I also signed u to a few landlords forums and NRLA. 

We went with OpenRent in the end but not using the Rent Now service this time round. 

I do get the distinct impression that prospective tenants feel like OpenRent properties are easy targets. Had one person enquire wanting us to do a HMO, other people that have credit issues or having to include adult children’s salary’s to meet the income required and a fair few that just didn’t bother responding to the screening questions we sent, even thought we sent a reminder after 24 hours. 

It’s definitely been an eye opening experience but will definitely be looking closely at affordability etc. 

Had so many of 3 friends wanting to rent together. Don't have HMO licence and only want 1 family for my 3 bedroom. 

The property is currently been renovated so not in a massive rush but Openrent is not ideal for someone inexperienced but with patience can get good quality tenants. 

[Deleted User]

Green_hopeful said:

Sorry for the delay in replying. Open rents credit reference process was rubbish. We normally just ask for some bank statements and payslips to show what they are paying and income. 

In the past paid for their refrencing but had a time waster once who lied about his employment and caused delays.

Now just with 3 months payslips and bank statements can decide what type of candidate they are even prior to paying for refrence to check for ccj etc.