Renting

[Twogirlsonemom]

Am i being unreasonable to be disgusted in the renting prices? I really dont want to private rent as they are charging way too much..... i am waiting for a council property, although i am getting fed up with waiting. I just dont know how ill realistically afford to private rent and i definitely can't afford to buy. What can i do apart from actually really consider private renting and struggling to get through each month. I have private rented before but was struggling so i am currently living with my parents and 2 small children. I just really want my own space to bring up my kids without having to worry about getting rent paid.

Renting is expensive. I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford to rent an adequate house near me if. I were single, and I earn just shy of 45k per year.

YADNBU. I sympathise with 'accidental' landlords, but anyone else who thought they could make lots of money off others and is complaining on here that it isn't as profitable as renters think - stop doing it then.

Really people. I despair. I am a private landlord and I charge a competitive rent. It's my living. I'm a widow with two children and invested my husband's life insurance in property as my kids were small and I needed the income without working too many hours. I'm a great landlord. My houses are in tip top condition. I take care of problems straight away. During the lock down, I gave two tenants a discount- one 50%! But I'm not a charity. You don't expect Tesco or your gas company or phone network to cut prices just because you are struggling. I provide an essential product and service and expect to be paid for it.
You have some financial issues. The father of the kids doesn't seem to be helping. So you have done a sensible thing and moved in with your parents. And now you need to find somewhere affordable. Fine. But don't blame private landlords. My rents range from a small three bed house with large garden renting for £620 to a small two bed flat with no outside space renting for £2200. The difference is location. Not my greed.

not unreasonable to be disgusted by rental prices. But on the other hand I'm a bit baffled that you honestly think that council flat is your best option.
I pay fuckloads for private renting, pay another fuckload for taxes (incl council tax) so you can get council flat? How is this fair?

The problem is that there is a real need for council flats, but so many ppl have abused the system (and I knew 2 personally who I am not willing to talk to any more) that now even me, the extra liberal person is up in arms as in f.off and don't try to live off my money.

YABU and probably naive

Do you work full time?

If you're on minimum wage then yes most rentals are going to seem expensive but then again so would a mortgage.

You can't expect to find a rental that's affordable If you don't work full time and there is only one adult earning a wage (you don't mention a partner in this)

Also If you are in London then everyone knows rental prices are ridiculous there - even on DH and I combined salaries we'd struggle to afford to live there

@TheSunIsStillShining oh fuck off with that rubbish. Council tenants are not "living off your money", get a grip. They pay rent and many pay taxes as well.

Who said i live off your money? I work as dental nurse, just because im frustrated with high private renting rates doesnt mean I'm intending to live off benefits. If i get a council house i will be a paying tenant, not having it paid for me. Its just that council properties are lower rent which means it will be more affordable for me.
Try not to be so judgy. Some woman may of just had a bit of bad luck and need a bit of help to get back on their feet, sometimes yes this will be from benefits and getting their rent paid for them.

without having to worry about getting rent paid

Don't we all wish for this.

@Pipandmum
You sound like a responsible landlord. But you are in a very small minority. The majority will spoil your party though. As if the tax changes were not enough, you have future supply against you. Liquidity is your friend.

@TheSunIsStillShining

not unreasonable to be disgusted by rental prices. But on the other hand I'm a bit baffled that you honestly think that council flat is your best option. I pay fuckloads for private renting, pay another fuckload for taxes (incl council tax) so you can get council flat? How is this fair?

The problem is that there is a real need for council flats, but so many ppl have abused the system (and I knew 2 personally who I am not willing to talk to any more) that now even me, the extra liberal person is up in arms as in f.off and don't try to live off my money.

I live in a council flat, I also pay rent and tax. How the fuck am I living off your money?

The issue is that private renters feel that they are being ripped off in comparison. As they are, and have been for a long time. This is a bad time, and worse is to come. We perhaps all need to be more aware (I include myself in that) of the widening divisions among the lowest groups and the dangers of that. Everyone's short-tempered with covid too.

Honestly, the renters dictate the rent. People just won’t pay if it’s taking the mick. Letting agents will give you a reasonable idea of what you should pay, dependent on area. My rent hasn’t gone up in 4 years. If it did, I’d move, despite it being a bloody pain.

Er, what? People haven't got any choice! The kind of people who have to rent privately do not have the financial resources to have choices! We have a massive shortfall in housing.

Consider a flat-share? Lots of us lived in shared rented places when we first left home, it made things affordable .

This year for first time LL cannot write off any mortgage interest against tax. I know of 4 LL who are all selling up. There will be a huge shortage of private rentals in next 12-24 months. That in turn will push prices higher as supply and demand pricing. LL now have to have electric certificates every year in addition to gas certificate. This means having new consumer unit to comply with regulations. More expense will be passed on to renters.

The housing system is broken util the government sees this, I am afraid you have no option.

@Wheresthebiffer2

Consider a flat-share? Lots of us lived in shared rented places when we first left home, it made things affordable .

Who will be leaping over themselves to live with a parent and two little kids.

For those talking about housing benefit/universal credit top ups - good luck finding anywhere that will rent to you with that!

Even though we were both working, we had to get a top up from housing benefit because rents were so ridiculous. No one would rent to us. We were laughed out of some estate agents.

I know it’s supposedly illegal now to discriminate but Christ, they still so. Even if you are also working.

We had to move nearly 200 miles away from every thing in the end the last time a landlord wanted to sell or we’d have ended up homeless trying to find somewhere that would let scumbags like us rent from them.

Sorry being a bit thick here but was is a LL certificate?

YANBU. Our landlord is selling the property we live in and we're screwed as can't afford to rent
We both work but prices here are awfully high. It's not as simple as moving areas. We both have jobs and our eldest is about to start her first GCSE year. We've applied for council accommodation but am really worried we'll end up in temporary accommodation miles away.
What else can I do though?
In general landlords take the piss and are happy to take the money but less willing to pay for anything. We had to pay to get the boiler serviced last year as landlord wouldn't.
I'm so sick of renting and paying out for nothing in return.

@Rosebel we had to pull one out of of A levels to move. It was incredibly rough on us all. I had to leave my job (!) but luckily Dh worked from home. It’s been horrible. I hope you find a solution - we tried and couldn’t find a way but moving to a cheaper area across the country.

I'm looking at renting out a flat I own. My return on investment will be just under 4% before expenses.
I'm not pleading poverty but I also don't want to be a charity.

Wilburgh: please see this commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn07008/
I'm sure some landords will try and evade the decision, but at least it' astep in the right direction.

Pixxie7 LL is the posters abbreviation for landlord. She was pointing out that landlords now need to supply an Electrical Safety Certificate as well as a Gas Safety certificate.
This is a measure that is long overdue, but pushes up landlords costs, especially if they suddenly find a rewire is required. The new requirement will be policed by Local Authorities with fines of up to £30,000 for non compliance.

@HeyHoLetsGoAgain

Wilburgh: please see this commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn07008/ I'm sure some landords will try and evade the decision, but at least it' astep in the right direction.

It’s too late for us now anyway, but of course landlords and estate agents will find a way round it, sadly.