Trying to secure a rental home

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81874803#Comment_81874803

The problem is that coming from having sold your own property, people will assume that you are only renting as a stop gap, even if that isn’t the case.

michael1234

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81874927#Comment_81874927

Well the answer seems to be what Poseidon said and simply be "less transparent".

gazfocus

Just to put your mind at ease a little, we are looking for a new home because our current landlord has decided to sell our home. We have enquired about 8 houses on Rightmove and only two have bothered to respond and even then it’s been like pulling teeth trying to get a viewing.

It’s almost as if letting agents have become complacent with how easy it used to be to find tenants and now the market has cooled they can’t be bothered doing their job.

Ms_Chocaholic

Can you move in with friends/family, have a look on Spareroom to see if there is something suitable, if it's only for a short period you might be lucky.

CurlySue2017

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81874765#Comment_81874765

This is what I would do to be fair. How many landlords advertise rentals as "long term" and then decide they're selling up after a few months?

In my experience as a renter, many landlords do this. Some even have properties listed for rent and for sale at the same time.

Grumpy_chap

"

we turned up there were 2 others viewing and they said they had had 7 that day, we liked it and sent the email saying we wanted it and put a bit about ourselves and it was apparently going to the Landlord. Here we are now silence, we have sent an email asking if there is any update, nothing. This is just to hear whether they are happy for us to have it before any holding fee, references etc.

"

Money Talks!

Far, far, far more loudly than an e-mail saying you are the perfect Tenant.

The holding deposit is what gives the LL the confidence that the prospective T is serious and for the LL to incur the costs around referencing etc.

Consider the LL position:

• 7 people viewed the property
• 4 made no further follow-up
• 1 said "well, sort of, maybe, can we negotiate?"
• 1 said "it's great and we are lovely people and will be the perfect T's"
• 1 put up the holding deposit

Who is the LL going to progress with?

I can't see why the LL would waste their time with someone who only put an e-mail saying how great they are as grounds to get the property. Unless the only other interest was from a prospective T who said "it's great but, just so you know, we are a bit chav and trashed the last place".

curtis122

We have not just sent an stand alone email, on both properties we have viewed so far after saying we like it and would like to rent it and then asking what the next step is we were told on both (different EA's) we would be sent a application form to register our interest in renting the property, this included things like who would be renting the property, whether we had pets/kids a bit about us etc and then it goes to the Landlord

The holding deposit is paid after the landlord has agreed to accept our application, to then start the referencing. 

Grumpy_chap

Are these properties you are viewing local to where you live currently?

Are you really dealing with this by e-mail?

Comments about "it goes to the LL" are bluff by the LA. I am a LL and I only know we have an offer when the T has been fully vetted and there is a contract to sign. I don't pay the LA to do the job, only for the LA to make me do it.

LA's also, particularly at weekends, will not be keeping on top of e-mails. I'd imagine by the time they see your e-mail the next day, the property is let.

If you view a rental and want it, you need to be proactive and walk into the LA's office with your cheque book and pen ready to pay the holding deposit and fill in any forms there and then. Drive the LA to get this done for you rather than someone else who is making it easier for the LA.

If you wanted to buy a used car, after the test drive, would you pay a deposit or send an email explaining how you are lovely, won't thrash the car and will valet the car every Saturday?

Letting a rental is a business transaction.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81875908#Comment_81875908

All what you say is correct, but it is true that some landlords have their own ideas of the sort of tenant they want. In some cases I guess for pretty strange or even offensive reasons. Also they like to meet them/interview them personally. A minority of landlords no doubt, but it does happen.

curtis122

On both we asked what the next step was, we were told by both we need to complete an application form as the first step which asks default questions about whos renting, our situation etc This is not to view the property this is if you are seriously interested and want to rent it. If we did not want it we would not do the application form.

The first one we saw, we actually said we wanted it but again after asking what the next step was, it was we will send you an application form that you must compete, they then speak with the LL who I assume then chooses the one they are happiest to let rent their property based on peoples situation, whether that's the LA sending the LL the application forms if there are many wanting it or just a call if its one but the LA would not be making you as the LL do the job, all they would be expecting at that point is a yes or no or, we prefer this person if there are many, I would then expect the LA to then continue with the all the checks etc if the LL is happy to go ahead.

There was no mention of you need to put a holding deposit down on either at that point to secure it given as I said we actually said we want it.

Buying a car is not really a like for like comparison, a car salesman sells the car its yours to whoever says they want it and have the money, they are not going to worry who you are, you take it and go, they are not going worry are you going to sell it on after 2 months after you have bought it or crashed it into a tree. That's a different type of business transaction.