AIBU?
to bypass estate agent on potential house?
flatmatt · 27/09/2018 09:41
A house has come up for let that would be perfect for me, I have local ties to the community, my children attend the local school etc
I have phoned the estate agent to book a viewing, but they have had a lot of interest all ready (it was listed yesterday) and are just taking details to arrange viewings next week.
My credit history is poor, although I work full time and could pay 12 months rent upfront.
It's a beautiful little house, and I can see us being so happy there.
Would I be unreasonable to post a letter through today to the owner, explaining my situation and bypassing the estate agent?
GoatWithACoat · 27/09/2018 09:53
You don’t need to bypass the agent if you can pay a year upfront because if your credit history is poor that’s what they will ask you to do anyway.
If there really is a lot of interest then the person who gets it will be the person who can pay a year up front. There won’t be many of them I’m sure.
specialsubject · 27/09/2018 09:55
no, but you will probably just get.directed to the agent for checks.
also dont offer lots of rent in advance - I am afraid that is a drug dealer tactic.
ladycarlotta · 27/09/2018 10:08
also dont offer lots of rent in advance - I am afraid that is a drug dealer tactic.
Crikey. I paid 6 months' rent up front for our current flat, because we'd just moved to the area, I was freelance and my partner was waiting to start his new job. Nobody turned a hair. Actually we got a slight reduction on the rent, although I wouldn't bank on that.
Do remember that if you've paid a bunch upfront, you won't have much leverage if something goes wrong - if the ceiling falls through and the landlord is slow to fix it, you can't withhold rent for example.
If the agent manages the property, unfortunately it sounds like you are going to have to deal with them either way. Probably best to go through their channels to begin with.
araiwa · 27/09/2018 11:10
Id refer you to the agency if you did that
Or bin your letter because youre dodgy and want to avoid the normal checks
Clearoutre · 27/09/2018 11:22
This would be too risky for me BUT if you’re 100% then see if you can sign a letting contract at the agents without a viewing?
Racecardriver · 27/09/2018 11:27
The owner will probably want you to go through the agency though. Very few people manage their own let's these days.
flatmatt · 27/09/2018 11:48
Drug dealer tactics? 
Really, a mum of three working full time in a public sector job?
Or you know, I could have just moved in with the folks to save to prepare for this situation.
Thanks all for the input, I think I'll forget the letter and just put in the application form and state I can pay the rent upfront
donkeyTAxi · 27/09/2018 11:50
Post the letter! The worst they can say is no and you'll always wonder what might be if you don't do it 
flatmatt · 27/09/2018 11:55
Ah such mixed reviews!
So in the letter I was going to write about my ties to the local area, how much I love the house, my ability to pay the rent upfront and would appreciate the opportunity to live in such a lovely house.
But obviously in a more eloquent way
Anything else?
Bitsandboobs · 27/09/2018 12:00
But how do you know the current owner lives at the house? It could just be the currrent tenant who is moving out and won't have any say in who moves in.
flatmatt · 27/09/2018 12:03
It's a very small village, I know 100% it's the owner that is currently in the property and has bought something on one level due to health problems
wijjy · 27/09/2018 12:03
I think you have a problem if you want to bypass the estate agent and you have already contacted them. Since their marketing has found you the house then it is probably against the owner's contract to do a private deal.
But things you can say (if true).
No dogs/pets
Non smoker
In the house for the medium to long term (it is expensive and a pain in the arse to get new tenants).
oldsockeater · 27/09/2018 12:07
Try the letter. Don't make it sound too desperate though! A nice letter might appeal to their soft side. Although they may refer you back to the agent, you might end up top of the list.
Piffle11 · 27/09/2018 12:08
Do you know who actually lives there now? A tenant will simply pass on your letter to the EA, who then may take a dim view of you attempting to bypass them as they will lose their commission. An owner may be more welcoming of the letter, but they are going to want the best person for the house and I would think that they will be just as interested in the background checks. When I worked for an EA we would get quite a few such letters passed to us by vendors/landlords/tenants - people usually instruct an agent as they either don't have time or can't be bothered to sort out the checks etc that need doing.
Sicario · 27/09/2018 12:15
Does the owner know you? If so pop round and knock on the door.
Schroedingerscatagain · 27/09/2018 12:24
To be honest, In this situation and set up I would just knock and ask the owner
They may be pleased to not use an agent and have a local pay up front, it’s your one advantage so use it
wowfudge · 27/09/2018 12:33
OP - yes they are people who are asked to pay six or twelve months rent upfront e.g. my DP when he wasn't working, but it is a common thing with people looking for a place to have a cannabis farm to pay upfront as it keeps the landlord and agents away.
MadisonMontgomery · 27/09/2018 12:35
If you know the owner then I would pop round and see if you can speak to them and explain your situation.
donkeyTAxi · 27/09/2018 14:12
I can honestly say if I owned the house the handwritten letter would sway me.
I have been there and done that in my past and the owner might have too. I'd much rather rent to a tenant who clearly loves the house and will take care of it.
Good luck! Let us know how you get on.
Darkstar4855 · 27/09/2018 14:23
Or you could explain all this to the estate agent (ideally in person rather than over the phone) and then give them the letter to pass to the owner. That way you don’t risk pissing off the estate agent and they’re more likely to encourage the owner to give you the property as a year’s rent up front makes life easier for the agency as well.
Don’t mention the poor credit score though!
prettygreywalls · 27/09/2018 15:31
When I sold my house and looked at renting as an interim I was told that I could pay upfront as I didn't have credit history / rental history
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.