Offering higher to secure rental property

[Ilkleymoor]

We are trying to make a big move north. Very few three bed properties come up in the area and are usually on for £100 - £150 less than our current rent.

A really good house has come up and we are seeing it tomorrow. There are 20 viewings in a two hour window and then we all make an offer.

We have good salaries, solid rent history, no pets, no smoking, one child (it's marketed as a family home), renting for a minimum of a year.

It's on for £950. If we offer £1100 outright, will this make it more likely we will get it or will it look mad and mean we will be rejected.

To put it in context, we have spent over four months rent difference in the last six weeks coming up to see properties, so it is more economical for us to pay and secure the property than keep travelling.

Would £100 extra look more measured?

Everyone will likely offer £100 more. Offer £115 or £139 more or some inbetween figure to secure.

Years ago we desperately wanted a particular property so we offered 6 months rent in advance - we were successful.

I’m a landlord and they way I get the info on offers is like this:
Couple, age 27&30, lawyer and PA, offering £1050 for 6 month term and combined income of £XYZ
Single person, age 32, vet, offering £1100 with 6 months upfront, income of £XYZ

Basically you need to be more attractive than others in the same situation and the overall rental offer will usually win out. I always get offers over and above what it’s on for so it’s not a bad idea, if you think it’s worth it and willing to pay that

Hadn't thought of offering Six months rent upfront! We can do that - so thanks for the tip!

The property is absolutely worth it to us. Will offer £1100 and six months upfront. Our combined income is good and jobs are professional and permanent so hopefully as a combo it should be enough.

Have never experienced such a mad rental market before.

Gosh, I am really shocked. I didn’t realise this was happening.