To offer to pay more rent?

[ArtfulBear]

I'm currently struggling to find somewhere to live for me and my four year old. Current relationship is emotionally abusive at times so staying put isn't really something I want to consider.

A place in the perfect location for school and work has come up. Competition is fierce for everything and I keep missing out. Due to a kind family member I can offer to pay six months up front. I'm also tempted to offer £750, it's marketed at £725. Is this insulting? Coming across as desperate? Or should I take any chance I can to stand out as a committed and eager applicant?

YANBU - offer the extra £25 pcm
YABU - don't offer £25 pcm

I don't think it would be considered an insult. If you really want the place, do it if you can afford it. Good luck!

I don't think it comes across as desperate at all, I think given you can pay rent in advance that immediately makes you more appealing and if you think offering a little bit more will help too and you can afford it, then I'd say go for it.

Good luck! Hope this manages to be a fresh start for you and your DC 💐

When we let our flat recently every single person who was seriously interested offered more than the listed rent. It's how it's done these days.

Its not unusual at all to do this, I do it quite often for work to secure a property for one of my clients. I would say though that for most LL's its not just about the monthly rent its more about your circumstances, its really hard to evict someone so they have to feel very confident that you will pay long term.
A family member paying your rent upfront for 6 months may raise some concerns, I appreciate they may be unfounded but a LL is just looking at the facts on paper rather than an individual.
If its down to you and someone/s who seem like a better bet the extra money may not be a factor
Certainly worth a go though

That does make complete sense. The money is a gift so I am planning to say I'm in a position to pay six months upfront rather than my mum will pay it for me 😂 I guess all I can do is try. I'm a well qualified professional, although sadly not highly paid, so that's something I guess.

No pets, no kids, non smoker with a job you have done for a year or more is ideal earning more than 4x annual rent is the dream Tenant on paper but it doesn't mean you will be unsuccessful if you don't tick all those boxes

Can you keep up the extra money after the 6 months?

I suspect they'll want to see that you can pay after the 6 months too, so think about that.

Your best bet is to also be able to offer a guarantor to be responsible for the rent in the event you don't pay it. They would need to be a home owner and ideally working.

Isn't it illegal?

@ArtfulBear Also say that you are looking for a long term rental. i have just let a flat this morning but i have brought the rent down. I havent put my rents up properly for years but even though this flat has jumped up as from today, it is still below the market for the area. landlords prefer long term rental because it is too much faff organising viewings and doing new tenant cleans.

Go for it!

No, why would you think that?

It will be when the Renters Rights Bill becomes law, which will be spring at the earliest.

The only word of caution I'd say is make sure the property has all the relevant certificates.

I paid the rent for 6 months when relocating 200 miles. It was a total nightmare. I didn't register with me at the time that the boiler was above the bath and I hadn't checked the electrics snd I'd missed the internal waterfall as it was raining that day. They refused to look at the property as theynhad their money. I fought the and it took 5 years to get my money and compensation back. Never spent a night in the property as it was too dangerous. Think it ended up costing the landlord £22k plus they still had have the jobs done on top. Would have been cheaper to have sorted the electrics out. Luckily I could stay with family whilst sorting it. But it was so stressful.

@AhBiscuits

Which part will be illegal? Offering more than listed rent or paying upfront?

It's now the "norm" in some places to not only offer a higher rent but also a few months' rent in advance to get yourself at the top of the list of interested parties.

My son had to offer 10% over asking AND pay a year in advance to get his flat in a very high demand small city (tourist, historic and university, hence ridiculously high demand).

He'd already taken six months to even get his first viewing, so wasn't going to risk losing out.

High demand is a massive problem in some places and offering more than asking rent is probably the only way of getting something.

Offering more than listed.

Landlords and letting agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and banned from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price.

Really? That doesn't agree with the advice on sites like Rightmove and is a bit concerning. Could you point me to the legislation you're referring to please?

It's the Renters Rights Bill. It's not law yet but it will be at some point next year.

I see, I did wonder if you meant that. I thought you meant that was the case now, rather than in the future. Crossed wires I think!

Sorry yeah, I was responding to someone else up thread.

Thank you all for your thoughts. The landlord decided not to go ahead with viewings but hopefully something else will come up and your advice will have a chance to be useful.