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Original poster

Snobby estate agent

13 replies

keyroyal · 11/05/2021 20:28

Currently flat hunting with my dh. We are mainly searching in a well to do area. Not looking for anything grant, just looking for a flat in a nice period conversion.

Spotted a flat we both loved the look of. I telephoned to book a viewing. Posh estate agent starts asking me all sorts of questions "what do you do for a living?" "where do you live now" etc.
These were all obviously to get a sense of who I am. At the end of the conversation she told me that as there is such demand, she doesn't think it would be worth our time. blush

I got my very posh dh to ring up and give his name and ask for a viewing. (different surname). He was offered a flat viewing with no questions asked.

What on earth? Do some landlords only want very posh tenants?

First posted this in property, but think it was better here. (please delete my other threat if possible- dont want a doubler-sorry)

OP posts:
Lottielovescake · 11/05/2021 20:31

What?! I’ve never heard of anything like this! What on Earth could your name be to put them off????? Try something double or triple barrelled, Miss Fill-thee-dosser? Grin

Palavah · 11/05/2021 20:39

Yes, bluntly.

BrilliantBetty · 11/05/2021 20:46

Yes have heard of estate agents cutting people off once they find out name / idea of finances.

Even harder for people on benefits etc to get a look in at any properties without being judged/ excluded from the offset.

Zesting · 11/05/2021 20:49

Is there anything about your voice or name that would lead certain people to make certain assumptions about you?

Maddox33 · 12/05/2021 12:42

If you sound a bit rough, then presumably Snobby Estate Agent is trying to ensure you have the means to pay rent for a flat in a nice area, and you aren't intending to move in, along with your pit bull on a string and 16 unemployed mates.

I'm sure I read somewhere that some multi-millionaire popstar (Gary Barlow maybe) was denied a viewing because the Estate Agent thought he was taking the piss, wanting to look at a 9 bedroomed manor house.

RhubarbTea · 12/05/2021 13:06

Oh yes, as a housing benefit claimant the only way I was able to even view a property was to offer 6 months rent up front. It was a dump but I desperately wanted it (my other rental had rats living in the ceiling and the landlord did nothing), and as I was first to view and the viewer right after me had pets, they gave it to me. I've had some horribly humiliating phone calls with letting agents. It really gets you down and makes you feel like you are shit on their shoe. Sad
I still think about that woman who was waiting to view when I came out and hope she found somewhere to rent. The housing situation in this country (and globally) is fucked.

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 12/05/2021 13:10

Yes. It's happened to my DH.

KaleJuicer · 12/05/2021 13:13

I think they feel the need to make snap sterotyped judgments to help manager their time and filter "time wasters". I once rocked up at an estate agents (pre covid) and got zero time or assistance from a snooty agent who then had to change her tune pretty quick once I managed to get her colleagues attention and said we were looking with a budget of £1.5m. She'd just sized up based on my very casual clothes.

KaleJuicer · 12/05/2021 13:14

Apologies for typos! Blush

Alexapissoff · 12/05/2021 13:45

Try telling them that you claim a housing benefit top up despite working full time. That was fun when we lived in London.

I have a posh voice so initially they were all over me. Until I mentioned HB. Then I was scum of the earth and I was told “sorry, no DSS.”

The places we did find to rent, we had to jump through hoops. One landlord and estate agent wanted to see my then 14year olds last school report as obviously, a few hundred pounds a month HB top up must have meant he was some time of teenage tear away. We also had to supply personal refrences from the head teacher and our church to assure them we were of good character Sad

No choice but to as no one else would touch us with a barge pole.

I felt like shit and was made to feel like I should be greateful they were letting us pay to live in their house.

Alexapissoff · 12/05/2021 13:47

@RhubarbTea

Oh yes, as a housing benefit claimant the only way I was able to even view a property was to offer 6 months rent up front. It was a dump but I desperately wanted it (my other rental had rats living in the ceiling and the landlord did nothing), and as I was first to view and the viewer right after me had pets, they gave it to me. I've had some horribly humiliating phone calls with letting agents. It really gets you down and makes you feel like you are shit on their shoe. Sad I still think about that woman who was waiting to view when I came out and hope she found somewhere to rent. The housing situation in this country (and globally) is fucked.
It’s crap isn’t it.

It’s the reason we left everything I had ever known and moved 200 miles north to somewhere we wouldn’t have to claim a HB top up. I was sick to death of it.

Alexapissoff · 12/05/2021 13:48

@RhubarbTea

Oh yes, as a housing benefit claimant the only way I was able to even view a property was to offer 6 months rent up front. It was a dump but I desperately wanted it (my other rental had rats living in the ceiling and the landlord did nothing), and as I was first to view and the viewer right after me had pets, they gave it to me. I've had some horribly humiliating phone calls with letting agents. It really gets you down and makes you feel like you are shit on their shoe. Sad I still think about that woman who was waiting to view when I came out and hope she found somewhere to rent. The housing situation in this country (and globally) is fucked.
It’s crap isn’t it.

It’s the reason we left everything I had ever known and moved 200 miles north to somewhere we wouldn’t have to claim a HB top up. I was sick to death of it.

Bluntness100 · 12/05/2021 13:49

Weird. My daughter sounds very posh, she’s a lawyer. She’s gets asked this too. Weird your partner wasn’t asked. Not that you were.

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