6 months preg - selling flat to rent house - any experiences of renting with newborn?

[sarahpip]

just a quick (ish) one.

I am 6 months preg. We have been given a private offer to buy our flat which we may or may not take. We will eventually need more room, as flat is only 1 bed, but I was thinking in a year or so's time. OH made redundant, so will have to rent until he gets new job. I just have nightmares of having no rights when being a tenant and neighbours hating us for moving in with a screamer.

Would you stay put for the first 6 months or so and then move, or get it over before baby arrives, and hope that it works out. I don't know why I have developed an irrational fear of renting - have spent many years happily renting with no problem previously.

Do you have any experiences of baby whilst in 1 bed flat or whilst renting?

Thanks in advance

We rent. Have a 2.5 year old and another on the way. Tbh, it's been no different to owning really - we rent unfurnished and have pretty much been able to do what we want with the houses. We have moved once, because we wanted a bigger place, and obviously that was much much easier than if we owned. I never mentioned my pregnancy at all to the first LL, although he was fine with it. Just didn't feel it was his business, really.

On the other hand, I do worry about how crap tenancies in this country are - although we never have been evicted, it bothers me that my LL could in theory give us two months notice for no reason. We have always asked for long tenancies - they don't really provide any legal protection, but do at least make it clear to the LL that you intend to settle and make this your home, which would ( I hope!!) encourage them treat you well.

We will buy eventually, I think. Because it's important to me to have the security. Also, I would like a dog and will never get one while we rent - current LL might well agree but it would be a total pain if we wanted to move to another rental.

That said, I think you would be fine with baby in one bed flat, at least for the first 6 months or so. So it's whether you want to move while pregnant or with a baby!

Thanks, that's given me something to thing about ref long term lease. And to make things a little more complicated we have a dog, and although well behaved, I have found it has limited us quite a bit!

i have always rented and have a 3 year old, am pregnant again and have two cats and a dog. to be honest it has been a challange to find a landlord that will accept pets but we've never had significant problems. i was pregnant when we moved into our current house, the neighbours on one side were pregnant too and on the other side they are students so they change every year. i think renting with a family is fine, you just need to pick your area carefully. i hate moving so always look for long term options.

x

My 'baby' is 2 next month and we are still in a one bed flat! Do not feel ready yet to move him into his own room just yet so it has been easy to stay put! He will be getting his own room in about 8 weeks though (am dreading it tbh) as he has grown and so have his toy collections it's only now we have outgrown a one bed!

I think you should be fine, though I guess it depends on the area. I know lots of friends who rent with children - not much choice in London really :)

I've head of a few LL's say "no children, no pets" and I just think oh eff off! There's plenty of LL's who are actual human beings :) I would look for properties that have the wipe clean kind of decor Laminate flooring, painted walls etc so you can easily rectify any (very) potential damage easily.

We have a cat - our current landlady is fine with her. We've been here four years, staying for at least another two...but deep down I know we'll be moving eventually and it fills me with a lot of anxiety. Not because I'm pregnant/will have a toddler but because we have the cat. I get upset sometimes thinking we'll have to get rid of her, but then I think - money talks, put enough of a deposit down and you'll be able to persuade anyone :)

In short OP - you'll be fine renting with a baby!

We've got two cats and have moved several times - it's always been fine. It's dogs that are hard work I think.

Sometimes we've had to pay more deposit, sometimes not. So don't worry about your cat!

We rent, always have done. We also rent a 1 bed house so DD sleeps in the landing! Not as bad as it sounds as the space is huge. It used to be our 'office'.

Do think about letting your mortgage go. We sold DP's house and will prob now struggle to get a goid mortgage offer when we decide to buy again. If it were me, I'd stay put for a little while. DD slept in our room for the first 2 months but I know lots of people who keep DC with them for the first 6 months.

I agree with button - I've never rented, admittedly, but I'd be very cautious of letting a mortgage go so I can rent. It will be difficult to get back on that ladder again iyswim.

If you find a house that looks right but says no pets ask the agent to contact the LL and offer a larger deposit and a reference from your existing landlord, or even come and inspect your existing place. he may then be happy to rent to you, but said no pets as they didnt want wreckers. If you dont ask then you will never know - you have nothing to lose. We have 2 dogs and although we dont rent our home, we do rent holiday cottages lots and have found that asking does get results.