renting furnished or unfurnished for 6 months or so

_Penny_Dreadful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966458#Comment_81966458

You're explaining the legal changes coming into force 1st May 2026 which I'm already aware of hence my mentioning 1st May in the first place.

You said that short term lets won't be feasible with the new legislation. I disagree.

The new legislation prevents landlords from locking tenants into fixed term contracts. It doesn't prevent tenants from leaving. A tenant will be able to rent a property and give 2 month's notice immediately after moving in. From tenants' perspective, short term renting becomes easier, not harder.

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966468#Comment_81966468

Yeah I wanted others to know the laws as well, sorry for you sucking eggs

But from the LL perspective they won't want that risk, here the OP has stated 6 months or more so it's a gamble for the opportunistic LL or those that are out the country for many months a year to not guarantee getting their property back. Maybe nothing but I suspect many shorter term advertised let's will disappear from the market.

Maybe not we shall see

subjecttocontract

This situation and other legislation is not a win for tenants as many landlords have and continue to leave the market reducing the number of properties available to rent. We had a portfolio of rental properties which we sold over the course of 8 years, only half were sold to other landlords, the other half went to homeowners.

CurlySue2017

Could an Air BNB be an option? I know some of them are willing to offer cheaper rates for longer term stays, although I'm not sure if 6 or more months may be too long.

That way you would have your own space and the facilities (washing machine, kitchen etc.) that you need would be there already and would be just for your use.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966899#Comment_81966899

That's just your own personal experience though, it doesn't mean that all LL's will follow suit. There are plenty of rental properties in my area and OK the prices did go crazy for a while, but you can see that they are starting to have to reduce them again.

GDB2222

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965802#Comment_81965802

In practice, I wouldn't bother. I'd just take the risk of being sued for the secondhand value, which can't come to a great deal.

olb81

Thanks for the comments

Maybe the legislation will increase the air bnb market

The commenter was right about not much between flea pits and corporate let's (build to rent?)

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664472/renting-furnished-or-unfurnished-for-6-months-or-so

i mean could i just buy a roll up mattress on the floor and a cheap chair table/desk which i wouldnt even take with me at the end?

All fine, except for this ^. You'd have to take it with you or arrange for it to be removed. If you don't, the LL would charge you the cost of disposal which would be taken out of the deposit.

Aside from that, just open up the search to all proeprties and if its unfurnished then budget for the cost of basic furniture + disposal.

olb81

I have found a few places through rightmove but only 3 or 4 and ive got all the hurdles of income checks etc via estate agents

as a backup, air bnb looks interested, direct to host, pay up front, get the product.

looks to cost a little more but will include all the bills etc

anyone else done air bnb , im thinking 1 month at a time, until im ready to buy or move away to a new area

rowan222

We are in a similar situation with our house sale. We have struggled to find anyone to go with a short term let that is not corporate serviced accomdation. We've had a few polite "sorry but looking for longer term" replies. And I can uderstand it from the landlords point of view. Than also some completely ignore us and dont reply at all

Recently though we've noticed a change of tactic, presumably trigured by the upcomming change in legislation. We've been honest upfront explained our situation and asked if they would go for a shorter term. They dont answer the question at all and just point us to an application. So seems obvious the answer is no. One yesterday on Open Rent was quite bolshy with me.

So we've pretty much resigned ourselves to this just isnt going to happen. Which for reasons unrelated to this thread makes me incredibly sad and depressed and wondering I can keep going at times.

olb81

Is air bnb a realistic alternative to private renting via estate agents?

It appears to cost more but won't all bills be included usually?