Private renting success stories please!

[aabidah86]

Just looking for your success stories at finding a private rental property as a single parent working part time and claiming universal credit?

Have made the decision to leave my 18 month old DC father finally (its been a long time coming), we currently live in his mortgaged property. Have got the ball rolling for UC application and just now starting to look for somewhere to live. I've heard lots of stories of it taking months to find a landlord who will let to a single parent claiming any form of government help. I've rung one letting agency and as soon as I mentioned UC her tone changed and she couldn't get me off the phone quick enough!

Any tips/hand holding/success stories please!

The other thing I’d say is go for a small, independent agency. They’re a bit more flexible.

We had owned for years so couldn’t get a previous rental reference and the independent agency were ok with that, as everything else checked out. Thornley Groves said we couldn’t rent through them due to not being able to get a previous rental reference.

It so pisses me off rules like that. It doesn't mean you won't pay your rent. I find it so worrying. This is why I hope to stay in this house in renting and not move!

I private rent and needed a guarantor, luckily our split was amicable and my ex husband did it for me, after all its a home for his children, do you have someone that will be a guarantor if needed? I was in my flat less than 3 weeks after I started looking for one, it really didn't take long

Thank you everyone for your tips and advice, will keep you updated as my search commences - I've had one landlord arrange a viewing with me today. I found the property via OpenRent which puts you directly in contact with landlords and I was honest about my financial situation. I've arranged a viewing for tomorrow so will see how that goes!

Oh this is interesting I must make of note of that for future

@purpleme2 I was honest and upfront in my message to the landlord (i even put a link to my Linkedin page so i could show them I was a working professional) and the landlord called me today. I feel relieved that I won't have to try and skirt around my finances at the viewing as I was really worried about that! My DC dad said I'll have to make sure its not being illegally subletted as I'm dealing directly with the landlord and not going through a letting agency who would check all that stuff, i will keep you all updated.

@aabidah86

Good luck, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!

@purpleme12

Bonkers isn’t it, we were shocked that we’d be excluded from some of the rental market due to having owned rather than rented - we said we could send them a Rightmove link showing that the flat we had owned (and sold) was in good condition and a copy of our mortgage statement to show we had paid it but they still said no.

Hi everyone, just to update this thread in case anyone in a similar situation comes across it in the future:

I didn't get the OpenRent property, however I then viewed a new build development in a "deprived" part of my city, which is an area I actually happen to love as its so vibrant and diverse.

After jumping through a number of hoops during the application process I secured a 2 bedroom flat by getting my brother to be my guarantor as he earns over £27k and by also paying 3 months rent up front.

Hope this is of use and thank you all so much for your help!