Updating post from Reddit.
The title says it all really. I am planning to move out later this year but i am growing increasingly concerned that i am an unviable tenant.
My income plus being a dog owner are two big things that will turn landlords away. Is there a chance i will simply never be rented to? Am i too difficult to receive as a tenant?
I have a lot of savings built up, and my rent will never surpass 40-50% of my income. But Im so scared it wont work out.
Any advice and reassurance is welcome.
As long as there is someone else wanting the same property, who is employed and doesn't have a dog. You're likely to be second in line every time.
So there is low/no chances of me ever getting a property..?
You'll either be paying over market rates, or the property won't be particularly nice
Or both
Pretty much
Get on housing association waiting lists.
How do i do this?
I don’t mean this rudely but google ‘housing associations near me’ or go onto your local councils website and click on the housing page and it should have links to the websites for the ones near you. You’d apply to them like you would social housing ‘council housing.’ Fill in a form and wait. It will be (probably) area and your circumstances dependant, a long wait but once your on the list your on so it’s just about seeing what comes up. If you’re living somewhere currently that you don’t need to move out of I’d advise staying there until you get an offer from the aforementioned people. But if that’s untenable I don’t know what to advise. :)
Typo? Do you mean your rent won’t surpass 40-50% of your income?
Yes! Sorry i will edit now
I'd have you as a tenant because you've got a dog but that's because I love dogs and am sympathetic to dog-owning tenants. The money bit is a bit off putting, though.
I will be moving in with my partner and our combined income comes to about 2.5k a month, idk if this is enough? If rent is between 600 and 800 would this still turn landlords away?
I'd be happy with that.
This is so comforting to hear thank you, i was convinced there was little to no hope
My advice is try your hardest to get the estate agents on your side. Be as friendly as you can with them to try and get their opinion of you up. The unfortunate thing is most places now you are up against others and the landlord only sees the black and white facts. If the estate agent can add to that by giving some context because of you giving a good impression it may help you.
This will be harder then you think, most of them are arseholes.
I know I am trying to move at the minute as well. Being a renter sucks so much now. It wasn't like this the last time I moved but all you can do to help yourself is try to affect the things in your control and hope it helps.
You're welcome.
I think the difference is that I don't use agents and deal with all tenants myself. Over 20 or so years, one learns the right questions to ask whereas agents don't give a toss and it's all black and white to them.
Good luck with your search.
Do you think we'd have more success privately?
Honestly its a bit random. Some private landlords will have more flexibility, some agents will do more running around to help you.
What money thing? Them having enough money to pay the rent)
Dogs don’t bother me at all. In fact I have always had more issues with kids than pets. Never had a pet write on the wall or stick bogies down the side of their bed! 🤮
The benefits element is more difficult. I would never discriminate based solely on benefits but the market is tough out there right now. Objectively there’s lots of strong tenants to choose from (often the best part of 100) and subjectively I’ve heard too many horror stories on benefits claimants and how the councils involvement from time to time.
We are still living in a world where most councils will advise those seeking council housing to wait until the landlord obtains a court order and bailiffs come knocking before they are deemed ‘homeless’. That same council is also calling around landlords offering tens of thousands of pounds to take their tenants off them. Clearly this section of the housing market stinks! I fear most benefit claimants get grouped in with some bad examples.
It's not impossible. We wanted to move and have 2 cats and a toddler. We also thought we were in for a ride, because kids and pets make you a less desirable tenant. But we were able to find a very nice property for a decent price. It was in a presumably bad location, which likely put off a lot of other applicants. But we did a little extra research and the location is not a concern for us (it's next to a pub lol).
I wouldn't mention the dog before booking a viewing. Learn which letting agencies are OK with pets and which ones are not.
You could also consider looking for a place on OpenRent, which is more of a marketplace for properties. You'd be in direct contact with the landlord and are able to negotiate a bit more.Do be extra diligent, cause there can be some cowboys on there.
Good luck!
I have asked when i should mention the dog, but everyone seems to have a different answer. Why do you think i should only mention after the viewing? And not in my "application" so to speak?
I would mention it up front. Nothing worse than wasting time when you do viewings but they landlord may not accept a dog.
Have you ever heard of making a dog CV? Try it. Very American thing but it can make things easier. 'I also have a dog, you can see him here on this CV'.
What kind of dog is it?
Labrador Retriever , they have a good reputation at least
Because no one is even going to consider you when you have pets.
It's true that it can save you a lot of time telling landlords and letting agencies in advance that you have a pet. You won't be wasting anyone's time when pets are a hard no. But it will also mean you will hardly get any viewings.
Especially when dealing directly with the landlord, they might have a different stance on things when you show yourself in person and portray yourself as a good tenant.
Some agencies ask you to fill out a document before they even consider booking a viewing, and they usually also ask for pets. Don't lie on these. If anyone asks if you have pets, be truthful and say you do. But there is no need to bring it up until you are ready to accept the offer. Cause by then, you're giving them good news by accepting their offer, and then "remind" them that you do have a pet. They will look more at your individual situation and decide whether they mind for this specific occasion, as opposed to an automatic 'no'.
There isn't really a good or wrong here, but this is how I do it. People with pets will always look less attractive as tenants, so you have to kind of keep them quiet until the landlord has "decided" you would be a good tenant. It's a bit like a job application, you show the best sides of yourself and once the company has decided they want to hire you, you negotiate the terms.
You just need to be realistic. You won’t be able to rent a newly decorated rental. But something cheap and reflecting condition. Some landlords will be ok with it.
I would wait until the new renters bill comes out as very animal friendly.
If have a lot of savings though could you loook at new build shared ownership rather than rent.
Then you own a portion of the property and no animal issues.
Good luck
When does the new bill release?
A going through House of Lords saying August at earliest to October latest.
Probably not.
This all comes down to your area as well as what the social housing stock in the area