Stressed about renting situation

[Curlychips88]

My partner and I both earn just under 20k, I earn slightly more than him.

We're looking to move as our current studio is far too small, but have really struggled to find anywhere. Anything listed on rightmove seems to be snapped up in an instant, by the time you call they've already got 20+ viewings booked.

Because of our income level we've often required a guarantor. The problem is both sets of parents aren't in full time work/semi-retired and agencies usually want someone earning 30 times the rent. None of our parents meet this criteria.

Just feel deflated and stressed. Any advice would be appreciated

Are there any housing associations in your area, could you go on their lists.
I had the same situation with my DS, he earns 25k a year but needed a guarantor as his income needed to be 30 (or something like that times the monthly rent). He was stuck renting a room.
I really feel for you.

It is incredibly difficult. The housing situation is ridiculous and I really feel for you.

Whilst your studio is too small and you want to move, can you take the pressure off mentally by setting a long deadline? At least then you will maybe not feel so much stress and can really look around.

In my home area the following are alternative places/ways to find rental property:

• we have some conservation and buildings trusts - they have long waiting lists but are nicer landlords with nicer properties
• my workplace noticeboard sometimes has properties - if you work somewhere small, ask your friends who work at big organisations - you need organisations with both highly paid employees who own second properties and young staff looking for rentals so NHS or universities good for this (let's not get into the inequality aspect of this situation )
• word of mouth - ask everyone you meet if they know of any good properties coming up
• adverts in our local health food shop sometimes has ads (rich people with granny annexes usually!)

I think it can be better to work a couple of agents really hard, call in the shop in person, explain your story, build up a rapport and then try to get to the top of their list of people to call when thinsg are coming up. In my city different agents do different parts of the area, so choose the right ones.