I haven't told my potential landlord we are expecting

[BabyB22]

We have been renting a one bed which is quite big and we decided big enough for a newborn and up to one year or so when we could potentially be in a position to buy. However, when I told my agency we need some work done they actually came out to have a look but the reason was to tell us he was selling up. Anyway cut to the chase we have been viewing apartments and some had things to say when I said we are expecting (I think it's to do with Maternity pay not being as much as if I was working full time) so when a flat came up in our area I got a call to view where the letting agency asked if we had children, I said no as technically I don't (more to do with the fear of being rejected) I went to view the flat and it's perfect for us. I am visibly pregnant and by no means trying to hide it and at the end of the viewing I asked what would make the landlord accept us over someone else and she said usually the prefer working professionals and generally no children (said awkwardly) The next day she called me asking if I would like to put in an offer which I did and she asked the question again if I had children and I SAID NO! I am cringing at this but we are so desperate. Part of me is thinking she knows hence why she asked twice. I now want to email them and explain we are expecting but this will in no way affect out ability to pay rent but my partner is adamant we wait until they atleast accept our offer. My argument will be technically we don't have a child and also the description doesn't say anything about no children and actually describes a "family bathroom". What would you do in this situation? I know I've dug a hole...

Go ahead op
but no way I would
because you’ll be served notice as soon as possible!

we do inspect the property every couple of months to make sure they clean properly.

Every 2 months?!!
That's pretty close to harassment.
And I'm saying this as a LL.
Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of their home.

Presumably you have it written in contract that you will be permitted to enter the property every two months to conduct a review that being “cleaned properly” and define what “cleaned properly” means

What you said was fine, you do currently have zero children. If they offer you the flat I'd accept (assuming you can't find anywhere more welcoming to children), but also start making plans for your next move as landlord may give notice once they hear about baby.

I imagine the agent asked multiple times as she guessed you are probably pregnant (but presumably not 100% certain).

You may find the landlord chooses somebody else if the agent passes on that you are likely pregnant. It sucks.

Do you think they can serve you notice on these grounds? This is the situation I want to avoid for obvious reasons.

They don’t need to have a reason

Just like YOU don’t need to have a reason to serve notice to the landlord

No bloody way would I move in expecting a baby knowing that in all likelihood the landlord will be serving notice at first break clause. Meaning moving again, with a baby and all the associated costs and hassle
not a chance

You don't have children & they cannot argue with that. Being blunt (sorry) until you deliver a baby there's no guarantee you will have a child.

As the baby isn't going to be throwing loud parties or smoking weed in communal areas, I really wouldn't worry about being turfed out because you've dared to have a baby.

I presume you've asked whether your current LL would consider waiting a little longer to sell OR is there anyway you could buy it?

OR is there anyway you could borrow a bit of money off family etc to enable you to buy now instead of in a year?

Every tenancy agreement gives the landlord the right to inspect with reasonable notice. Some agents inspect every month.

We had one who complained about the condition of the bathroom - it had not been cleaned for at least 6 months, thats when we introduced regular inspections. Bathrooms and kitchens in particularly deteriorate quickly if they are not cleaned, mould grows quickly causing a lot of work to refurbish.

Cleaning aside, it also stops tenants growing cannabis in the bathroom - yes it did happen.

I've opted to tell them. What will be will be. Before the advice all gets a little off track I will end it there.

Thank you for all your help.

Don’t you think that it’s more likely that rather than being ‘unrealistic’, it’s probably more ‘making the best of a bad situation’ as it’s likely that it’s all they can afford.

After all; if they could afford a nice flat with enough bedrooms for everyone and outdoor space why would they be looking at yours?

I would be honest as you run the risk of having to move with a young baby. We have rental properties and would possibly serve notice, depending on the property. Sorry. I hope you get it sorted

I think you’ve made the right decision OP. Fingers crossed they’ll be ok with it all anyway.

Mmmm, I don't know if they could use this, although the agent hasn't been specific with no children, I know you don't currently have a child as such, however the intention would be clear, you'd have to check the tenancy agreement. Also I have no idea re discrimination under equality, maybe someone who knows come along and clarify.

Section 8

Ground 17 – Recovery of possession where grant is induced by false statement
Two weeks' notice of proceedings required.

This ground may be used where the tenant, or a person acting at their instigation, induced the landlord to grant the tenancy by false statement either knowingly or recklessly.[38] The ground can only be used against the original tenant, not a successor or assignee. The statement need not have been made to the landlord, so it might be possible to use the ground where someone makes a false statement to a local authority leading it to nominate her/him to a private registered provider of social housing.

Where the statement made was clearly material an inference will be drawn that the representation influenced the decision to grant the tenancy.[39] The court will also consider the nature and degree of the false statements. Flagrant lying in order to obtain accommodation will lead to a presumption in favour of a possession order being made

Say nothing. You have told no lies.

I didn’t even mention to the mortgage broker that I was pregnant when we bought our flat - You don’t have to.

The object of a private landlord is to be paid for providing housing not social services, I’ve foolishly been soft and let to marginal tenants and it always ended badly.

My auntie looked her mortgage broker in the eye and confirmed she wasn't expecting a change in her financial situation. She was several months pregnant with her 4th child at the time and definitely had a bump. The monthly mortgage was far less than she was paying in rent so she didn't think twice about denying a change in circumstances. I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

Everyone going on about buying a property

csn you not see the difference

as long as you keep up with payments, bank won’t give a toss if you go on to have a child or were pregnant.

but if a landlord has a problem with a child, they don’t have to give a reason. They wait for break clause and give notice.

leaving the op with a newborn and the hassle of a move

I’m not suggesting you should offer your rentals to every single applicant, I’m saying there’s no need to talk about your prospective tenants like they are idiotic or naive.

In jest, but my newborn did a pretty impressive projectile pop betwen nappy changes!! The carpet was never the same

I think people think that landlords are all these rich oligarchs with loads of time on their hands and a really intense interest in their tenants

Once I have tenants in I want the rent paid and that’s it. I certainly don’t want to be doing regular inspections of the place and being involved in their personal lives. If they leave the place in a shit state that’s what the end of tenancy review and their deposit is for.

I would rent to a child free couple over a family but if the woman had a baby once in I wouldn’t really care, I certainly wouldn’t be exercising the break clause. Getting new tenants is expensive and a total pain in the arse.

I would tell them. Just because if not they could decide to end contract after 12 months and your left with a small baby and having to move.

I rent but holiday, so not long term . I don’t mind who stays, but I do like to know roughly who is there age wise so I can accommodate better. Ie I need to replace a section of hedge and fence after a storm. If a toddler came today that wasn’t my own I would want to pre warn them or add something temporarily as safety.

I think you're being needlessly alarmist with this. If the landlord signs a 12 month tenancy then he can't serve notice before then.