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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to worry that the place we're renting is tooooo good?!

30 replies

Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 13:13

We moved from Zone 2 London to Zone 3 this month and decided to rent for a year to get a feel for the area and decide what/where to buy. "We" are husband, Year 4 DD (who has complex needs), Year 3 DD and Y1 DS.

The place we rented was pretty much literally the first place we saw, and I was honestly expecting it to be fine but not more. But everyone - including me - absolutely loves it. Small but really nice garden (south facing), great sound-proofing, 5 minute walk to school. DD2 and DS get on really well with the similar age kids next door, and DD1 has been so much calmer and happier here. Husband has a quick commute to school (10 mins on the Overground) and the kitchen is amazing.

I'm afraid that we're all going to be so gutted to have to leave!!

OP posts:
Takemetothebar · 26/05/2021 13:14

Right.

LoudestCat14 · 26/05/2021 13:15

Are you in a position to buy? If so, just ask the landlord if they'd consider selling. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

TurquoiseDress · 26/05/2021 13:16

Ask the landlord whether they'd consider selling to you?

Presumably only if you're in a position to buy of course

DownWhichOfLate · 26/05/2021 13:16

Give it time to see if there are any negatives then see if you can secure a long term rent or look for houses for sale locally.

lordalmighty · 26/05/2021 13:16

Well you now know to keep an eye out for similar properties in the area so all is not lost! Plus you've only been there a month so little annoyances might still creep in and you might change your mind.

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 13:18

I know this is a deeply first world problem!

OP posts:
PicaK · 26/05/2021 13:21

Buy to let. Keep renting the house that works for you now.

LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2021 13:23

We're also just into zone 3 and we live in a flat that DH didn't even want to go and see!

We love it SO much - it's so quiet, great soundproofing and you can walk everywhere

It had one negative which made it difficult to get a mortgage (near a garage, apparently an explosion risk) but it was at least £250k cheaper because of it Grin

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 13:44

@PicaK

Buy to let. Keep renting the house that works for you now.
We were considering that, as we could rent our Zone 2 flat (which we own), it looks like actually for more than we are currently paying monthly. (Which is insane - the flat is tiny!)
OP posts:
Hopdathelf · 26/05/2021 13:50

Buying isn’t the be all and end all. If the rented property suits you then stay. It might not suit in a few years as schools change and then you can move to somewhere that does. You’re ‘renting’ flexibility as well as the roof over your heads.

AnathemaPulsifer · 26/05/2021 14:04

Don’t forget you’d have to pay tax on rental income from your flat.

misspattylacosta · 26/05/2021 14:06

Just because you rent doesn't mean you should compromise and be unhappy with the place! Pretty normal to really enjoy the place you have chosen to live in.

Prices being what they are, it's quite common to have a perfect - ready to move in rental and move to a "work in progress/ need to put your mark" mortgaged home..

Laffinalltheway · 26/05/2021 14:13

"Could rent out your zone 2 flat"
So what are you currently doing with it?

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 14:15

@Laffinalltheway

"Could rent out your zone 2 flat" So what are you currently doing with it?
Fixing various problems !
OP posts:
Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 14:17

(the hole DD has made in the wall for starters!)

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 26/05/2021 14:19

Did you move out specifically to fix the problems? You're hardly in a position to let?

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 14:22

No, we moved out because it was too small and becoming really problematic. The stuff that needs fixing is regular wear and tear - as in, we've been living there for 7 years and haven't had much opportunity to fix things. Our original intention is to sell.

OP posts:
MrsJackSpratt · 26/05/2021 14:26

We did similar. Moved from Zone 2 to Zone 4 and rented for a year while we did work on our old flat, and sold it, and also got to know the local area. We LOVED our rental property - but some niggles did come to light with regards the area, and we ended up buying about 2 miles away and love it here even more.

Give it 6 months so you know the area better. Also we sold a few months before buying, and being in that position meant we had a great bargaining chip as we could proceed really quickly, and ended up getting a total bargain on a house as they were keen on quick sale.

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 26/05/2021 14:30

So stay! You've got a property to let out, which will more or less cover your rent (although pp is correct, you will have to pay tax on that income) so why buy?

I don't think this is massively uncommon, especially in London, that people rent in a desirable area then find they can't afford what they want to buy. If the rental is suiting you then stick with it.

CoffeeCakey · 26/05/2021 14:33

Are you looking for the catch? Maybe someone was murdered there?

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 14:34

@MrsJackSpratt thanks for that, good to know it worked out for someone else and I'm glad you're happy with where you moved to 🙂 We just got to the point (esp during lockdown) where we could not take it anymore - we felt claustrophobic and the kids are getting bigger, etc. We also had issues because of DD1's frequent meltdowns, and not having anywhere she could calm down or where the other kids could go while she was calming down. Our downstairs neighbour (who is quite noise sensitive in the best of circumstances) got utterly fed-up with 11pm screaming sessions and kept threatening to call the police or the social. Latterly he actually did, although every time it happened and someone turned up they said there were no concerns. It was just awful!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jourdain11 · 26/05/2021 14:37

@HoldontoOneMoreDay

So stay! You've got a property to let out, which will more or less cover your rent (although pp is correct, you will have to pay tax on that income) so why buy?

I don't think this is massively uncommon, especially in London, that people rent in a desirable area then find they can't afford what they want to buy. If the rental is suiting you then stick with it.

Thanks! It's reassuring that this doesn't seem a totally insane idea. In the country I grew up, long-term renting is common, but parents in law (English) have tried hard to persuade us that it would be inadvisable! In the short term, I definitely feel that DH not murdering the kids (and them not murdering each other) is the priority
OP posts:
someonelockthefridgealready · 26/05/2021 15:04

We did this - moved out of the place we owned to move somewhere for DH's work and got a rental - it was absolutely blooming amazing. The owner gave us notice after three years to sell it and we couldn't even afford half of what it's worth, but we have sold our old house and bought somewhere we really love.

I just made sure to enjoy it while we were there and not take it for granted. Nothing lasts forever anyway!

MrsJackSpratt · 26/05/2021 15:06

And one day, you will have a lovely zone 2 flat to retire to! :D

I think it's a great idea btw. Keep the flat as a retirement investment, but live in the house you are really happy in.

SwimBaby · 26/05/2021 15:09

Do you think you’d be able to buy in the new area after the year if you sell your other property or if you rent it out and turn it into a buy to let?