How often to Landlords want to meet new tenants?

[BlondieMum01]

We're moving to the UK in July and we want to line up a shortlist of rental properties and sign ASAP.
In practice, if you deal with a real estate agent, how often do the landlords want to meet you in person? For example, are character references and an outstanding deposit enough? Or do they tend to insist on face to face?

Thanks for any information.

[LawrieMarlow]

If it is through an agent then I think unlikely the landlords would want to meet you. We moved here last June and have never met the landlords.

[LawrieMarlow]

It is likely you will need a credit check. Although if you can pay 6 months rent in advance this would be a less stringent one.

[crw1234]

Hi -if through an agent almost never meet the landlord -
however depends where you are looking - but in many places rental property varies a lot so someone should see the properties -and estate agents word can't be relied on!
and rental markets move quickly so you would be lucky to be able to sign for something for July now -

[gregssausageroll]

You won't meet the landlord but the agent is likely to take 6 months rent in advance particularly as they can't credit score you as you won't be on the electoral register. Depends if you have a secure job and a contract too but 6 months is what we had to pay when we cam back to the UK last year. Never met the landlord - that is why they employ an agent so they don't really have much to do with the formailites.

[microserf]

Never met the landlord and i have rented lots of properties in london - but had to pass some stringent credit checks. best one was where the agent noticed my pregnancy and required written details of my contractual maternity pay from my boss. another where they contacted my non english speaking landlord in another country for a reference which had to be done urgently... he couldn't have cared less, he couldn't read the damn email.

6 months rent sounds like the most likely outcome i am afraid if they can't credit score you. london agents are better than most at scoring expats, so you might be lucky. talk to the agents showing the properties. there is only one firm i would advise you to avoid...

[BlondieMum01]

My husband will have a secure job, a contract, and he has a credit history in the UK, and is on the electoral roll: we'll be renting based on his income. We can do six months deposit. They can't chek with previous landlords, as we've lived in a self-owned flat since 2003.
Is there anything else I should be looking out for?
microserf - could you please PM me the name of the agency?
Thanks so much.