to ask for help about what supporting information to provide for rental application

[Rentaladviceplease]

Hi All, I’m applying to rent a property for the first time ever, as I am separating from my long term partner and moving out of our shared property.

I’ve found a rental property that I really like, so I want to make sure my application is as good as possible so I don’t miss out on it.

I’d appreciate it if anyone could give me some advice about what to include. I think the relevant points are :-

Single woman in my 50s, no children or pets.
Work part time in IT for global business.
Separating from my partner so looking moving out of our shared home and looking for a long term rental property.
Financially stable and willing to pay x months rent up front (how many, I was thinking of 3 or 4 if that would make my application more attractive)

Anything woolly about loving the area and will keep the property in good order?

Help please!!

Don't worry too much about all the woolly stuff, landlords mostly just care about financials

Whereabouts are you looking? I think advice will change depending on whether you are looking in places like London, where there is massive competition for every flat, versus areas where it's easier to rent

You need to prove that your monthly salary is 3x the rent, and that you have a good credit record (they will do a credit check). Healthy savings also help.

Offering to pay months upfront is tricky. Some landlords will favour you for that but from reading on MN some landlords see it as a red flag for some weird reason.

Last time we moved I put together a one-page information sheet on us, with all the financials, explaining our job situation, emphasising positives like no pets, no smoking. Make it easy for them to see what a good prospect you are.

Maybe drop the part time? Not relevant but they might not like it.

If there’s a choice of renters the landlord is going to choose someone who earns well over the monthly rent amount. I think through a recent conversation with a courier he told me he had to get a guarantor as they wanted a monthly income of at least 2.5x the rent amount.

Thank you so much for your response @dreamingbohemian

I’m looking in a desirable market town in East Anglia so not crazy competitive but I think they are having about 8 viewings this weekend. The property seems really good value for what it is so I expect that there could be 8 applications.

My monthly salary isn’t 3 times the rent, but I have plenty of savings to cover the rent and a perfect credit score.

That is interesting that landlords may see it as a red flag to offer a few months rent upfront. I’d be interested to hear if anyone can confirm this and explain why?

If anyone could share an example of the supporting info, that would be really appreciated as I’m not that confident about my writing skills!

Yes, good point. Thanks.

Thanks. If I can show savings that would cover more than a years rent, would that be as good?

It definitely used to stand for something as I too remember paying 6 months upfront ten or so years ago. Nowadays I just don’t know. All you can do is try. It’s so fucking ridiculous that it’s almost impossible to secure housing at the present time.

I assume something like a new build locally wouldn’t work? I know they offer part ownerships and other options.

Is this new? I've never had to make an application to rent somewhere been in rented since I divorced in 2014 you view a place say yes and then move in.

There’s a housing crisis currently in lots of countries. So whilst it might not be ‘new’ it’s the present situation and it sucks.

This letting agent provides the landlord with all the applications and the LL then makes the decision about who they choose. I guess that is fairer than the first person to view the property getting first option on it.

To be honest if you don't meet the 3x salary benchmark, you may find it difficult. That is the first thing they look at. In that case I would definitely say something like, I know my salary is a little bit under the benchmark, but I have savings of XXXX and am willing to pay X months in advance if it would be helpful.

I don't know if 3 months would be enough, think about whether you could offer 6 months. Or a guarantor?

Really emphasise all your positive aspects -- maybe some of the other applicants will earn more, but they might have pets (which landlords often hate) or a worse credit record or a less stable income.

Is there a reason you work part-time? If you find it difficult to rent a place, you might consider going full-time for a little bit as this will look better.

Thank you @dreamingbohemian, that is so helpful.
I can definitely offer 6 months upfront if that is going to make my application more attractive.
My Experian credit score is 999 so I can add that too?

I am a landlord, also in East Anglia.
I would say promote positive aspects such as non smoker, if applicable.
Also maybe emphasise that separation is amicable ( no one wants a disgruntled ex causing issues).
I don’t think it necessarily applies in your case but there is an element of caution where several months rent in advance is offered as it is a tactic used by Cannabis Farmers ( been there!). It would be combined with other red flags normally before it became an issue.
Your advantage as a single renter is less wear and tear.
I try not to do this but some landlords see a lone female as a possible source of lots of requests for minor issues. I think this is unfair and it’s not my experience, but if you are confident to change smoke alarm batteries, etc maybe mention this at the viewing.
There is so much competition for any property now and sometimes it just comes down to luck / personality.
I conduct my own viewings and I selected my last tenants because they seemed nice people I thought I would have a good working relationship with. It’s worked so far.
Good luck

Thanks @LumpyandBumps, that is so useful. I hadn’t thought to mention that I am a non-smoker, so I’ll definitely add that.
Also, good point to emphasise that the separation is amicable.
Thanks again, much appreciated.

Insee where you are coming from Lumpy, but it’s outrageous that such personal info needs to be supplied for what is ultimately a business transaction. I am also a bit 😠 at the suggestion that lone females might need more help than a single man.

*I see

Well, for any other business transaction the usual way to deal with excess demand is to raise the price. Which is currently happening in London, people are bidding on rent. Do you think it's a great solution?

That aside, nobody HAS to provide all this information. They could just fill out the basics and leave the LL to it. Taking their chances on whether they get the property or not.

All of this is happening because there are loads of applicants and there's got to be some way of whittling them down and different people have different preferences.

I understand that, it’s the sexist slant I don’t like.

OP the biggest issue for a LL is a tenant that damages the property and won't take good care of it. Saying something along the lines of 'good order' would help.
As a single renter and working part-time you run the risk of being unable to pay the rent if you lose your job so emphasizing financial stability would be good.

Could you also find out more about the LL? Go to the local pub, speak to the neighbours, see if anybody knows more?

I don't know the property size, but not LL's are money grabbers - them renting it out for a lower price ('good value') might point to this. For example people moving abroad and renting out their family home might want it to house another family. If you can work out what makes them tick then see how you can make a connection.

A lot of fuss for a rental, but then again, up to you as to how much you want the property!

@LumpyandBumps only mentioned that because it's relevant to the OP though. it's what an LL 'might' think. not that they definitely will.
There's prejudice against everyone, depending on the LL's perspective.
Single men - likely to throw loud parties, cause damage.
Families with kids - damage (but yet others prefer to rent to families as they're likely to stay long term, especially if kids are settled in school).
Young couple - might turn into family with kids! Or likely to move out when they buy and so not long-term.

I could go on, but you get the picture...

At the end of the day there has to be some way to whittle them down. It's flip a coin or come up with stupid reasons. I don't know which is worse.

This is what I have so far. Any suggestions for changes would be appreciated

I am a single, non-smoking woman in my 50’s with no children or pets. I am looking for a long term rental property due to amicable separation from my partner.
I am employed by a global technology company as an IT consultant and I am financially stable with an excellent Experian credit rating of 999 and substantial savings and investment income in addition to my salary.
I am willing to pay 6 months rent in advance if that would be helpful.

I agree that it is wrong to suggest that lone females might be more needy than lone males.
I didn’t make the stereotype, and nor do I agree with it. I do, however, know it exists and was trying to help OP counteract it. OP asked for any helpful hints about what to include.
The amicable separation aspect, whilst of course her private business, could also be vital. There are an infamous couple who were prolific landlords ( fortunately now much reined in) who openly stated they wouldn’t let to victims of domestic violence due to potential damage to their property.
It is really hard for prospective tenants at present. The initial viewing slots fill up almost immediately, people are so desperate that they often offer more than the advertised rent, and even offer to pay a deposit prior to visiting the property.
I would prefer to return to the situation where an application was solely the basic information required for what you rightly say is a business transaction.

As a LL op l think what you have written sounds good.
For me the excellent credit rating and rent affordability is the most important.( By a mile)
Followed by no pets as they can cause huge issues with damage and noise.
If you have any way of meeting the LL that may well help, l meet all my prospective tenants and ask that they arrive with 6 months bank statements, proof of salary and permanence of job from employer and an up to date credit score.

Tenants have a lot of protection once in a property and it can be catastrophic for a LL if the rent is not paid. I would rather meet and use my instincts to (try to) guage a potential tenants attitude to the property, and to me as a LL, (some some are openly hostile)

Often l have let to tenants that are not offering 'more' but the ones l judge to be fair to deal with and committed to looking after the property, and with a nice attitude. But the financials have to be solid.

Just offer slightly more than the asking price and offer to pay 6 or 12 months in advance!

As long as you satisfy other criteria, such as having a job paying at least the right multiple, good credit history, no pets, no smoking, you'll put yourself to the top of their list!

It was the only way our son could get a flat. He offered 12 months upfront and the agent told him afterwards he'd only got it because the next nearest had only offered six months upfront!

It's absolute madness in some places!

@kopitiamgal

Well, for any other business transaction the usual way to deal with excess demand is to raise the price. Which is currently happening in London, people are bidding on rent. Do you think it's a great solution?

Not just London, the contagion has spread to other sought after locations with high demand and low supply!