To rent a house from a stranger on gumtree for my family?

[alicet]

Interested in your thoughts on this mumsnet jury as both dh and I feel uncomfortable about this idea with no sound basis...

We have sold our house and must be out by the end of the month but our new house won't be finished until end of June so we need a place for me, dh and our 2 ds's plus 3 cats.

Short term rentals (esp who allow cats) are like gold dust and someone recommended placing an ad on Gumtree to find a place.

We have had 2 responses about places that sound interesting but we are a bit nervous about moving our family into a place found like this without the security of estate agents vetting the owners etc.

What do you all feel? Has anyone had experience (good and bad) in this? And any suggestions as to how we can make sure its legit as with a 3 year old and 18 month old we would be stuffed if it all fell through at the last minute.

Off to bed now but will await responses with interest and respond tomorrow...

I don't think it's any different answering an ad on gumtree than in the local paper - which is where I found my (rented) house over three years ago.

Alot of agencies rent houses out on Gumtree as it's cheaper then the newspaper. If you look around the house first, then have a contract then it should be the same as going through an agency, just cheaper for you and less checks. There's no difference for the tenent IME except for that you deal with the landlord when you rent direct.

Agencies don't offer a cast iron guarantee of a safe let. The last agency we rented through landed us with screaming abdabs landlady from hell on an introductory basis. You are slightly better off with an agency managed property, but then they can also be professionals at deducting your deposit over something mad like a chrysalis on an outside window frame.

Also I used to work in a letting agents and the fee is usually out of proportion to the work involved (course they have to make a living like anyone else, but don't think that the fee covers careful vetting checks on landlords.)

I say, go for Gumtree, meet the landlords when you view the property and make your decision based on that.

I've rented a house from a private landlord before and it was fine.

Anecdotal evidence, I know, but it's all I have.

When I was a student, and dd was a baby none of the agencies were any help. I put an ad on our uni online noticeboard and my landlord replied. I've lived here happily for 4 years Having worked in lettings since, I'd say go for it. He's been great to us, and we havrn't had a single increase in rent, whereas the agency I worked at increased by at least £25 each 6 months.

I'm with a lettings agency now and have lived in my house for 6 years. They make sure the gas safety check is done, little else. I've been waiting since I moved in for the kitchen window to be repaired. They sent someone out to do it last year, he messed with it, said he fixed it, he didn't. I still can't close it without going outside and lifting it up.

Thanks ladies that all reassures me a lot. I have spoken to the guy concerned and got a good feeling from him - he sounded professional and genuine so we're going to go see it on Monday and take it from there.

The fact that we can have it just for a couple of months and take our cats means we have to at least consider it seriously!

And your positive stories help me to feel relaxed about it - thanks!

I rented directly from the landlord at uni and last year I got my flat from an agency (who were promptly sacked by the landlord!) and I deal with him now. Seems ok so far..

more reassurance!

Not sure now why I was so uncomfortable with renting from someone online - its where I met my husband afterall!!!!

We rented for two years from an ad in Gumtree. He was a lovely landlord, no messing about with nasty letting agencies, sensible conversation about our deposit when we left
Do it!!

i've used gumtree for years as well, but lately it seems to have been taken over by scammers.. Just be very careful. I dont want to scare you as im sure most people on there are genuine, but there are many cases of people getting ripped off on there. Have a quick look through their forums and get familiar with some of the stories before you hand over any money. I've seen people saying they paid bond/rent in advance etc and turned up to move in and the guy they paid the money too didnt even own the place etc etc .. good luck with your search. (I found my current place on there, but it was listed with an agent)