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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Can an 18 year old rent a flat?

111 replies

Freshstarts23 · 12/08/2023 19:25

DD wants to move out, for a variety of reasons I think it’s probably for the best. I know I’m probably being unreasonable but we are where we are.

But is it possible, Will landlords accept her? I’ve no experience of renting. She has a full time job.

OP posts:

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 19:25

If they do they will want a guarantor

Busubaba · 12/08/2023 19:26

Yes.

coreas · 12/08/2023 19:27

Yes of course they can. Often they need a guarantor or to pay upfront rent for 6 months but it's definitely doable

Is it affordable though? Is she earning enough at 18 that she can afford to pay rent, council tax, utilities and all other living costs?

Clymene · 12/08/2023 19:28

Yes she can but demand for flats is high so she may find it very difficult to find somewhere.

Original poster

Freshstarts23 · 12/08/2023 19:35

Her take home at the moment is around £1800 but apparently due to increase once she turns 18. Realistically, she will struggle financially but she’s adamant she’ll make it work.

I wouldn’t be a guarantor and I can’t see her being able to save up 6 months rent upfront any time soon.

OP posts:

titchy · 12/08/2023 19:37

Well students usually leave home and rent at 18 so yes of course they can. Why do you think they wouldn't they be able to - they're adults?

Katrinawaves · 12/08/2023 19:37

A lodger arrangement would probably be more suitable and something which could be cut short quickly if she changes her mind and wants to come home

bellac11 · 12/08/2023 19:37

If shes got any sense she would rent a bed sit/house share room, bills included, not liable for council tax, no need for guarantor, no need for massive deposit and rent up front too far in advance

Then she can start saving up for a flat of her own

Doggymummar · 12/08/2023 19:40

She will need to earn 36 x monthly rent to pass affordability so I imagine a shared house will be most likely

Badbadbunny · 12/08/2023 19:41

In many areas, landlords can choose their tenants, so an 18 year old on low/no wages is highly unlikely to trump someone older with references, a higher wage and a job.

MorganSeventh · 12/08/2023 19:46

I agree it's a landlord's market at the moment and with no references and no guarantor , in practice she may struggle to find somewhere. I would suggest she looks on Spare Room and to see if she can find a shared house to rent, or to lodge in.

AllGrownUpp · 12/08/2023 19:47

In my area you need to annually earn 30x the monthly rent.

AllGrownUpp · 12/08/2023 19:49

She’s on good money, it could work. She’ll need to save up a deposit.

Ponoka7 · 12/08/2023 19:50

When my DD was looking many wouldn't take under 25's, even with a guarantor. A room, as said is more realistic.

Doggymummar · 12/08/2023 19:51

AllGrownUpp · 12/08/2023 19:47

In my area you need to annually earn 30x the monthly rent.

Maybe it is 30 x not 36 as I put. It was long ago for me

AllGrownUpp · 12/08/2023 19:52

Maybe it is 30 x not 36 as I put. It was long ago for me
I think it varies area to area, I have heard of 40 x before.

Gymmum82 · 12/08/2023 19:55

shed probably be better in a house share, she won’t be able to get a flat without a guarantor often even 6 months rent upfront isn’t enough to secure. Demand is high so landlords can be picky.
House share will also be cheaper

LoveThisUsername · 12/08/2023 19:57

Lol at an 18yo going straight into their own flat.

She's more likely to get a room in a house, or a bedsit, as others have said.

EnthENd · 12/08/2023 19:58

Maybe.

The problem is that these days loads of landlords demand a guarantor who is a homeowner, just because they can make such a demand and still get tenants. Even much older adults with a long history of trouble-free renting are seeing such demands.

Also, landlords will know that if their tenant loses their job, most people who are single under age 35 will get only the shared room rate from Universal Credit. (There are some exceptions, but I doubt the average landlord will know or care.)

Abbimae · 12/08/2023 20:01

Flatshare maybe?

ReformedWaywardTeen · 12/08/2023 20:01

Very difficult

She will be seen as an 18 year old who might like to party and cause a nuisance.

She will need a guarantor.

From experience, when I left at a similar age I had to rent through a charity who helped teens get homes when they couldn't live at home with parents anymore for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure which ones still exist but sure you can ask your local housing team at the council or social services. That's how I found my first room in a shared house with adults who would help with bills, benefits and everything else. They would let you stay up to 2 years and then they would put you forward for a flat or house share.

PinkFootstool · 12/08/2023 20:04

What is she doing at age 17 to take home £1700/month?!

pizzaHeart · 12/08/2023 20:04

She will need to earn enough money, to have a deposit and someone to be a guarantor so technically yes but in reality it doesn’t look doable especially with you refusing to be her guarantor. If I were a landlord it would put me off straight away (unless another parent would be a guarantor of course)

ghostyslovesheets · 12/08/2023 20:20

titchy · 12/08/2023 19:37

Well students usually leave home and rent at 18 so yes of course they can. Why do you think they wouldn't they be able to - they're adults?

But with parents acting as guarantor

overprepper · 12/08/2023 20:22

PinkFootstool · 12/08/2023 20:04

What is she doing at age 17 to take home £1700/month?!

This, it’s 27k a year

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