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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

46 replies

Tyrannynormus · 08/10/2020 13:04

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

OP posts:

RaisinGhost · 08/10/2020 14:56

I see what you mean because you could become pregnant with triplets the day after moving in and there wouldn't be anything they could do.

I moved in to my place when I was single person, since then I met my DP and have 2 dc. Does the landlord like it? Tough luck if she doesn't really.

Angelina82 · 08/10/2020 14:57

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

I’m hardly pearl clutching, just aware how difficult living in one room with a toddler will be, (especially when trying to study) and concerned OP isn’t getting all the benefits she is entitled to.

HandfulofDust · 08/10/2020 14:58

I wouldn't worry about a toddler in a studio flat. When our eldest was 2 we lived in the smallest flat in the world. He wasn't yet at nursery or anything and we lived in a cold, rainy country. We were all fine (and actually managed to keep the place much tidier than we do now we're in a decent sized house).

2bazookas · 08/10/2020 15:05

You should remember , letting agents don't work for you. They are employed by the LL and if they don't follow LL's requirements, 'their job (and reputation) are on the line.

After8itsgrownuptime · 08/10/2020 15:06

I’m amazed that other landlords are turning you down on the basis you have a child. I prefer to have a family in my property as I think they take better care than of it than 2 Sharers or young professionals and stay for longer as they tend to put down roots.
I would be really annoyed though if you lied about a child on your application. I would instantly feel that I couldn’t trust you as you didn’t disclose something major on your application.
Are you sure you’re not being passed over as you are a student on benefits? In the current market landlords are getting a lot of offers and sadly , I would imagine a salaried family/tenants can afford to offer more than you can on a limited budget, so you are probably getting outbid.

Smallsteps88 · 08/10/2020 15:32

and I would let her out on other occasions too

Original poster

Tyrannynormus · 08/10/2020 15:57

Well I've emailed the estate agent explains I'm a mature student with DD would they be willing to accept an application from me... they've emailed back with exactly what is said in the advert. So no real clarification

OP posts:

Original poster

Tyrannynormus · 08/10/2020 15:58

I'm getting everything I'm entitled to and I'm only going for properties I can 100% afford and i keep looking for ones claiming to be student friendly. Not sure what else I can do really

OP posts:

Coyoacan · 08/10/2020 16:01

You have all my sympathy, OP. Laughing at the idea that a studio flat wouldn't be suitable. When I was looking for a place with my small child many moons again that was the sort of thing landlords would say, as if we have all the money in the world to be able to rent the perfect place.

Back then I ended up renting a house and finding someone to share

crosstalk · 08/10/2020 16:06

why don't you just call the EA and explain that you've never defaulted, are immaculate and have a DD who is charming and careful (or whatever) and well behaved ... and often with her father.

You are a mature student, so unlikely to throw wild parties etc.

I'm surprised your university won't help or are you doing OU or online?

Original poster

Tyrannynormus · 08/10/2020 16:13

I've been explaining all this to the estate agents prior to arranging a viewing. I've filled in applications for 4 properties now and been the first to view for two of them. Had a phone call this morning to say they've discussed my application with the landlord and he wants to wait to see if he has anymore interest before committing. That's the third time I've been told pretty much the same, I can only assume their holding out for some one child free?

OP posts:

Original poster

Tyrannynormus · 08/10/2020 16:14

University have been pretty much no help, only seem to suggest shared properties which are no good.

OP posts:

Proudboomer · 08/10/2020 16:15

It might be the very fact that it is advertised as suitable for a student that means it is not suitable for a young child.
You could end up in party central surrounded by 19 year olds having a wild old time now they are not in halls or living with parents.

triceratops12 · 08/10/2020 16:16

I've had this, it's so hard renting with a young child. If you don't qualify for social housing but can't afford a huge family house to rent the middle ground only seem to want 'young professional' couples

CruzControl · 08/10/2020 16:18

@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 was a student parent and never once had any kind of issue renting with a child. I did have places who wouldn't rent to a student, but never one that wouldn't rent to a child.

Marisishidinginmyattic · 08/10/2020 16:24

That's the third time I've been told pretty much the same, I can only assume their holding out for some one child free?

Or someone with a higher income who is seen as more financially able to afford the rent. You’re focusing on the wrong thing here. They might be student friendly etc but if they can get someone earning a full time wage as a tenant or a couple with two wages, you’ll get beaten every time based on your finances. It’s nothing to do with you having a child. It’s money money money.

Ihaveanidea33 · 10/10/2020 14:07

I'm a single working mum to a 2 year old.. The house I moved in had 10 viewings and I thought I wouldn't stand a chance. There was 3 offers for the house but the landlord chose me because I wanted a long term rental. Landlords definitely prefer tenants who want to stay longer than the year!! Mention that when you go to viewings you'll be surprised x

AmIACowBag · 10/10/2020 14:34

I think you should say about your daughter. My friend rented her home to a single man she thought then he moved in with a wife and 2 kids. Really put her off him not because hes married with kids but because he felt the need to not disclose it when asked who would be living there.

ivfbeenbusy · 10/10/2020 14:49

I would think the bigger issue here is that you are relying on benefits to pay the rent 🤷‍♀️ that doesn't make for a very reliable tenant

Pogmella · 10/10/2020 15:02

I rent to a family and get the rent paid direct from their UC. I think it’s great! They’ve been there 2 years and it means there’s no possibility of a problem with the rent.

Perhaps the issue is that you fall between two camps- lls with family properties get turned off by the word ‘student’ and lls with student properties think their places aren’t aimed at families.

Japa · 11/10/2020 09:27

When I was looking for a flat in London, it was No dogs, No smokers, No children ! All considered undesirable, apparently. Lots of landlords won't even allow you to view their flats as a prospective tenant with children. (And we are a couple with professional jobs, look good on paper, and had offered to pay a higher deposit in case of extra damage by the children!).
It was actually very difficult to get a flat to rent.

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