To not mention toddler DD when applying for rented houses anymore?

[Tyrannynormus]

As a mature student relying on student finance, child maintenance and child benefit as my income I'm hardly top of the list of potential tenants anyway and I'm really struggling to find somewhere else. It's not that my applications are being rejected, but everytime I put an application in i get pretty much the same phone call telling me that the landlord has other viewings booked and they would prefer to wait until after those before making any decisions.
I'm considering enquiring about a studio flat advertised as perfect for professionals or students, no mention of suitability for families. Am I being cheeky to arrange a viewing and just not mention DD or do I need to be up front about her living with me?

I'm sure that seems a really silly question but I'm not sure what the etiquette here is

I’d be pretty pissed off as a landlord if my tenant deliberately withheld the presence of a child. Children tend to increase the rate of wear and tear.

You’d have to disclose who would be living there anyway so keeping secret for viewings doesn’t mean it would stay secret.
I am surprised the agencies are holding it against you - can’t they help you find suitable properties?

I'd rather have a toddler than a student!

Pointless withholding the info re the toddler as it will just come up when you have the finance check.

Is a studio flat even suitable for a toddler? Where would all her toys go for starters? Have you tried applying for housing benefit?

YABU if you present as a single tenant when actually you have a pet/child or are a couple. It's fraud, you'd be obtaining a service by giving false information. How long are you intending on staying there? Rented properties usually have inspections after a few months, and it will be very obvious if there is a toddler on the loose.

I’d wait to mention her until I was actually asked.

Don’t tell them until you have to legally disclose it and of course a child in a studio flat is fine. Some people on this site really do live in their own bubbles.

@Angelina82

Is a studio flat even suitable for a toddler? Where would all her toys go for starters? Have you tried applying for housing benefit?

A toy box, I imagine.

YANBU, op.

YABU for thinking it's your dd when it's clearly your financial situation that is putting off the landlords. They're always going to go for the more secure looking option financially.

Wont they find out when you have to provide your source of income and see child maintenance and child benefit on your bank statement?

@Angelina82

Is a studio flat even suitable for a toddler? Where would all her toys go for starters? Have you tried applying for housing benefit?

A studio flat might not be great when the OP needs to work or access online lectures while her DD sleeps.

Have you talked to people at your University Housing/Mature Student services? They may offer help or advice. Being a student and having a toddler is probably making it difficult for you to find somewhere.

The difficulty would be how you’d hide her belongings during property inspections.

Our tenant did this with their next rental after us. Landlord found out and pulled out. Meaning they had to find somewhere else and ended up moving out two weeks late with "hilarious consequences" (not).

Well I've applied for two properties before claiming to be 'student friendly' so maybe it is the combination of the two. It's just getting very frustrating not finding anywhere.

Its advertised as a studio flat but in reality it looks to be an under dwelling across 2 floor and actually looks to be bigger than some of the 2 bed properties I've previously viewed. But its within budget and is in the perfect location.

I don't want to deliberately mislead anyone but it's annoying to be rejected, assuming I'm going to be a bad tenant when I can provide references, can afford the property and have no history of not paying rent and in the property I'm in now have redecorated and dont extensive work on the outdoor space so it is in better condition than when we moved in

The occupency might be states specifically in the tenancy arrangement so I definitely wouldn't try to hide the fact you have a DD long term. If you the viewing is with the actual landlord it's possible if they met you and thought you seemed responsible they wouldn't mind you having a DD.

Are you claiming all the benefits that you’re entitled to? You should also be claiming child tax credits (which is far more than other benefits) and possibly housing benefit and council tax benefit. Maybe a trip to the CAB to see their benefits advisor would be a good idea.

When I used to rent, I wouldn’t disclose my dogs immediately but I’d wait until I’d been to the viewing, looking immaculate. It worked both times. Good luck x

Honestly, do what you need to, to provide a home for your child. The country has messed up housing.

Tricky. We rent a property and had an applicant put single on application form.
It’s all done through an agency and what she doesn’t realise is that we live in the same road and know she’s moved in with partner and kids.
We wouldn’t have rejected her application if she had been honest (we’ve had a variety of living arrangements in there before) but it has made me feel like she not trustworthy.
When we realised she wasn’t living alone my DH asked me if we should contact the agency to query this and get the second adult credit checked - as would have happened on the original application if she had been honest. I decided not to but I am worried about the reason she hasn’t declared him.
It’s probably benefit related but I also worry maybe he’s a bit shady.
I’d advise you to be honest if the application asks directly.

I hear you OP it is a right pain being on the rental market with kids (and young kids especially). LL will always choose renters without children if they can due to wear and tear. So if your looking for somewhere that will have multiple offers you have very little chance.

We only got our current two bed flat because we were the only people to offer, turned down numerous times b4 that due to the kids..

Unfortunately you just can't hide it. I find EAs ask you outright who is going to be living there when you book in for viewings and nothing good can come of outright lying!

YANBU to want to, you would just cause yourself more bother in the long run!

I'm really shocked that any landlord would have an issue with children. I much prefer families as a landlord. I don't really care about wear and tear, I just want them to stay put, which families are much more likely to.

In our area the demand for rental property is currently high so the fact that you've been unsuccessful may not be due entirely to daughter but because landlords can pick and choose

You have to mention your DD eventually but I don’t see why you need to tell them before you’ve even viewed it.

I’m laughing at the pearl clutching over a toddler living in a studio flat

They’ll survive

I'm also slightly confused over why a toddler wouldn't be ok in a small flat it's not like shes in there 24/7.. she goes to her dads and to nursary and I would let her out on other occasions too

I think I'll leave off mentioning DD until after viewing the property then