Estate Agents - AIBU, or are they?

[FortVictoria]

We’re trying to rent a property in Berkshire. I’ve spent days trawling through adverts, and calling estate agents when I see something hopeful. Every single time I am told that the property has just gone, Today I saw this advert:-
www.onthemarket.com/details/10932390/
On Onthemarket it is shown as recently added. On Rightmove it is shown as “Added today”. I called the agent (Farmer and Dyer) straight away, and was told that the property already had a tenant in situ. I asked how that was possible as the advert had only been added today, and she said, “That’s just how the system works - we have to put it on before we can take it off!” Huh? How are prospective tenants ever supposed to find a property if agents are allowed to advertise properties that already have tenants in them? AIBU to be frustrated and annoyed by this?

Abd aside from AIBU, does anyone have any advice on how to navigate this crazy system? Help and advice much needed!!

It sounds to me as though they are deliberately putting up fake adverts to try to draw people in so that they have a database of potential clients. It's really common in recruitment too.

Argh. It’s so disheartening :(

My daughter has just rented a 2 bed property in Reading and she quickly realised that she had to be in Reading the day listing came out and view and put down a deposit immediately. Reading seems to be a very fast moving rental market - and agree that some of the properties are just not available. You would be better looking at the original estate agents rather than the listing sites.

Thanks, Xmaskitkat. I’m beginning to feel like we’ll never get a house! I understand that the market is fast paced - can deal with that - but estate agents falsely advertising with impunity is hugely frustrating! I’m glad your daughter got somewhere, though :)

Register with and charm the agents in the area

Yes, it seems to be the only way!!

From my experience in London for the decent properties you need to be the first person the agents call before they list and then go see it quickly.

I will keep trying :)