AIBU to think it shouldn't be this hard to rent a house?!

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

We have been looking for somewhere to rent for the last three months. We don't live in the country we are moving to which makes it all the more difficult.

We have found several houses and applied for them only to be messed about by agents or told the landlord has chosen someone else.

We now have two weeks until DH starts his new job and we have no where to live.

Why is it so difficult!
AIBU to ask for Mumsnetters help to find me a house?

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

To me a three bedroom house is a family home. It seems greedy to have all that space just for one person when there are families in desperate need of a home. But maybe that's just me!

[WishfulThanking]

Yes, it's just you. It's a free country.

[Lweji]

My brother bought his large three bedroom home when single. He still lives there with his wife and two children now.
It makes sense to save the money and time you'd spend on buying a series of homes, not to mention the hassle.

And if a single person wants the space and can afford it, it's up to them.
The UK is not a communist country.

[RealEnough]

Its mental.

Demand is huge compared to supply.

I've visited rentals in a "queue" outside!

Its essential that landlords vet their tenants (personally if possible) but its got to a ridiculous degree now.

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

Right, thanks for that

[RealEnough]

don't what that means. just concurring its difficult to rent privately.

.

[RealEnough]

maybe directed at someone else

!

[MrsPicklesonSmythe]

I agree it's so hard. We ended up offering 6 months rent on top of the deposit to secure the house we loved after losing out on so many others. We have near perfect credit scores, decent incomes, steady jobs etc but competition for family-sized homes in the area we wanted was so fierce we were just lucky that our landlord took pity because we were so desperate and he really needed to square up with his mortgage lenders quickly

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

No wonder there is a housing crisis when single people are taking three bedroom houses "just because they can afford it so why not"

It's selfish and greedy and I'm sure most families who are struggling to find somewhere to live would agree with me.

MN is a bizarre place sometimes!

[expatinscotland]

'To me a three bedroom house is a family home. It seems greedy to have all that space just for one person when there are families in desperate need of a home. But maybe that's just me!'

Yep, just you. I've got childfree friends in 3-bed homes, or even larger! One who lives in a custom built 4 bed house with a massive garden and brewing room. Good for them! They work their arses off. They grow a lot of their own food in their garden. They brew terrific beers, ales and make their own wines and then have friends like us over for the weekend with plenty of room to crash. It's awesome.

I have other mates in a 4-bed house in London. Just the two of them. It's fab. They have guests over a lot, including me. Yay!

Yep, just counted out - 8 childfree friends in 3+ bedroom homes.

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

Yes not aimed at you Real.

[expatinscotland]

'It's selfish and greedy and I'm sure most families who are struggling to find somewhere to live would agree with me.'

Not this family. We're in ill-suited housing. It's not the fault of people paying for their own space. They're just working and minding their own business. They make good use of their space. Good for them. Some of them like to share the space with guests - I love those invites :)

[FruitCider]

This is in an upmarket, central area of Bristol.

Surely those terms contradict themselves? I wouldn't call St. Paul's, st werburghs, stokes croft, redcliffe or old market up market. The only area I can think of is spike island or hotwells but you'd never get a rental, certainly not a 3 bed house anyway!

OP keep trying. Have you tried openrent?

[Someonefindmeahouseplease]

But if your friends weren't taking up all these huge houses for themselves then maybe you could live in a more suitable property for your family Expat? That makes no sense to say it's nothing to do with them? They don't NEED all that space, but maybe you or I or any other family need it. How is that not selfish and greedy?

I haven't heard of Open rent I will have a look thank you Fruit.

[mimilightyear]

To me a three bedroom house is a family home. It seems greedy to have all that space just for one person when there are families in desperate need of a home. But maybe that's just me!

Wow. Just because a 3 bedroom house = 'family home' to you, doesn't mean you're right. Maybe other people see it as "greedy" having more than one of you "needing" space. The planet is over-populated as it is.

You sound quite entitled, as if your needs come before someone on their own? If they can afford it, why shouldn't they have 3 bedrooms. Not everyone wants to live as a family crammed into every available room; if that's your choice, it doesn't mean you are more deserving of the space. Why should you be?

[27Feb]

DH and I moved from England to Scotland a few years ago. In our case, he had to move up first and stayed on a friend's sofa while I stayed down south with the cats. No DD then.

He found a place, but we couldn't find somewhere for the cats so had to foster them for six months, and we had to pay that six months rent up front as no one would accept his income due to him being in a new job. It was a fricking nightmare. But once we were up there, it was a lot easier finding our second place.

Oh, and we had a three bed as a couple too! It meant we didn't have to move when DD came along. We didn't want to waste all the time and money and hassle on moving into a one bed only to shift again two years on. No guilt!

[Runningbutnotscared]

I've recently moved from Scotland to England and there is a huge amount of things that happen here that have taken me by surprise. It's a completely different country!
Like you I rented in Scotland for many years and have never heard of any landlord / rental agency choosing from pool of tenants - first come first served all the way.
We were lucky enough to buy down here, i looked at renting but couldn't find ANYWHERE in a very very large city that would take us and our dog. So now we are stuck in an area that I'm still not sure about because we couldn't afford to keep coming down to view places.
Best that can be said is it's an adventure.
Good luck OP

[baffledcoconut]

Where in Wiltshire are you looking? I live in the area and next door is up for rent

[Womble75]

Whereabouts in Wilts are you looking? I can recommend some local agents who are reputable, it would be worth calling them (if you haven't already) and getting on good terms, whilst explaining your predicament.
Before I bought I rented a lot in Wiltshire (Salisbury and Amesbury areas) so can recommend those to avoid and those to give a call too. The independents I found much more amenable and often approached me with rentals before they hit the market.

[littlepinkgiraffe]

Not sure where you are looking for specifically but lots of 3 beds in Wiltshire on Rightmove for around £750 a month. They all include garden and parking too.

[expatinscotland]

'But if your friends weren't taking up all these huge houses for themselves then maybe you could live in a more suitable property for your family Expat?'

Nope, wouldn't make a difference. They live in locations that aren't suitable for us, and they rent or have bought in price brackets we cannot afford. Nothing at all to do with them. It was our choice to have our family, why should others have their own choices curtailed because of our choice. Not a one of them is selfish or greedy, quite the opposite.

[5rivers7hills]

It's selfish and greedy and I'm sure most families who are struggling to find somewhere to live would agree with me.

How do you feel about families with 2 children living in 4 bed houses? Should they downsize to a 3 bed? Is it all spare rooms you object to or just those for single people (who you seem to hate because they can afford things you can't). It is entirely normal for people to have a guest room, you know, so they can have guests.

How do you feel about people living in mansions?

You think single people should live in one bed flats in high rises so more deserving families can rent a 3 bed house? Or a studio apartment maybe?

What about couples? Do you have to live in 1 bed flats or can they have a 2 bed?

I shared a 1 bed flat with my partner for 4 years. Does that mean I'm cool to have a spare bedroom for the next 4 years in you allowed allocation?

No wonder you're struggling to find a rental, you sound kinda strange and bitter.

[YouCantArgueWithStupid]

Whaaaat! £750 for a three bed house?! We pay nearly double that in SE London for a 3 bed Victorian terrace! 😱 Bloody hell I might get on right move myself!

[Biggreygoose]

If you're moving from Scotland remember to check the estate agents fees.

They aren't capped in England and can be horrific.

[Lweji]

MN is a bizarre place sometimes!

Yes it is.

I recommend North Korea for you. I'm sure you'll be given the housing you require.