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Original poster

Landlords - how long did it take you to decide on a tenant?

40 replies

ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 17:18

We are moving to the other side of the country so it’s all very stressful. We have multiple things going on which means we need to know when we are moving.

Put in for an rental just before Christmas. The estate agent was closed from 23rd until today. Dh has gone to the agent in person today, delivered all paperwork (this was also give via an online system but it’s a good job he went as it turns out the system isn’t working properly). Everything is fine and now they are just waiting to bar back from the landlord.

We are paying 6 months up front and have a guarantor as I will have to give up my job here as we are moving so far away, even though Dh wage more than covers the requirements for rent (Dh works remotely so his job isn’t a problem).

I’m now biting my nails waiting, won’t hear before tomorrow now. We are great tenants, been in this house almost 5 years and never missed rent, no complaints.

It’s such a stressful time and I’ve basically talked myself into the fact that the landlord will say no.

OP posts:
cloudchaos · 02/01/2020 17:52

Did you offer them below asking price? Because if you didn't and you passed all the checks I can't imagine why they would say no?

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 17:53

Nope, paying the full whack.

OP posts:
Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 17:54

I’m just a ball of anxiety over this.

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 17:55

The only thing that’s worrying me is that they might not like the fact that Dh job is here, 150 miles away and they might think he’d jack it in.

He won’t, it’s a great flexible job. He’s been there 8 years and his boss had given a reference. I just worry that would put a landlord off.

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 17:56

But then we have the security of 6 months rent up front and a guarantor Confused

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cloudchaos · 02/01/2020 18:01

I can't imagine that will matter. I'm sure they will be pleased someone will pay the full monthly asking amount with a good history of renting elsewhere with references etc. I always felt when renting it was the first one who made an offer that got it. If they have taken your paperwork etc it sounds like a done deal to me.

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 18:27

Christ, I hope so!

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WombatChocolate · 02/01/2020 19:26

I think you are just anxious waiting and winding yourself into a frenzy.
You have to wait for an answer and it will be what it will be.

You sound like great tenants, unless there's something you know and have had to reveal that you haven't told us. If everything is as you say and your references are positive you'll get it, or you'll get somewhere else very quickly.

Try to relax and think about something else.....you might not get an answer for a couple of days and don't want to drive yourself mad waiting.

Hope it all works out and do let let us know.

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 02/01/2020 19:31

@wombat no there is nothing else! So much is riding on this, I couldn’t afford to lose another week or two finding somewhere else. It’s so hard not to worry that it will all wrong. Thankfully this is the last place we will rent. Once we are up there we will buy a place in a year or so.

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 15:30

Still no news.

Called the agent twice this morning - they were on the other line and never called back. Called again to be told the person dealing with us is away until
Tuesday.

OP posts:
cloudchaos · 03/01/2020 15:51

Could you ask what the reason for the delay is? If it's just due to the agent being on holiday that might make you feel a little better?

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 15:58

I’ve asked again.

They said they just haven’t heard back from the landlord yet.

The agents have been a bit useless through the whole process though. I don’t have much faith in them.

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 15:59

We’ve got DH brother who lives up there looking at a couple of other properties Tomorrow just incase. We need to move quickly for a variety of reasons.

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ShirleyPhallus · 03/01/2020 16:01

You’re really worrying unnecessarily, if the landlord has already said yes to your offer then the checks will just be a formality

The time to worry is before he has said yes as you have no idea what offers other tenants have put in

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 16:28

The landlord hasn’t said yes.

The agency have done the checks they are all fine. Now the landlord gets the final decision on if we can live there or not.

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WombatChocolate · 03/01/2020 16:53

You could call on Saturday or Monday and say that you are on a tight timescale and need an answer or will have to start looking at alternatives as well.

The thing is, this is pressing in your mind and you're thinking about it a lot every hour, but the LL might own 20 properties and feel no sense of urgency and likewise the agents. TBH I'm not surprised you haven't had answer today - you have to expect these things to always take longer than the think they will or want them to.

If you genuinely are so pressed for time, do start looking at other places too just in case, but if you're as good a tenant as you suggest and that is very clear in the paperwork, then it's probably just a matter of time and there's no reason why you won't get the property.

Try to think about something else and know that when you come to buy there will be LOADS of time delaying frustrations.....it's all just part of the property market and nothing happens fast.

Whatisthisfuckery · 03/01/2020 17:00

It took a few days for my LL to say yes. I think I was the only taker though, although I didn’t pay extra up front.

You really shouldn’t need a guarantor if your DH’s wages exceed the amount. I put one down but didn’t need it.

ShirleyPhallus · 03/01/2020 17:01

The agency have done the checks they are all fine. Now the landlord gets the final decision on if we can live there or not.

This is honestly bizarre. The landlord is expecting you to have references etc checked before he says yes?

I have two rental properties and for both, the agency gives me a list of people interested. Ie

  • Bill and Jane, a couple, one is a lawyer the other in advertising, earn £70k between them. Offering £1500pcm on a term of 1 year
  • John and Tom, 2 friends. John is a computer programmer earning £30k and Tom works in a bar earning £18k. They have offered £1450pcm with Tom’s mum being a guarantor and offering 6 months rent up front.

Etc etc etc. I then pick one, the offer is accepted and from then all the checks start. If they don’t pass referencing then it’s my decision to take them on (which I wouldn’t) but if everything passes then they’re in.

Her0utdoors · 03/01/2020 17:21

I will yay or nay the preposed tenant as soon as the agent tells me about them. Then the agent can proceed with the checks. If that brings up anything then I'll need to concider it, but it's usually instant. Any delay is down to how quickly the agent can relay messages. Hope it goes to plan op.

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 18:51

I thought it was odd this way round. That they did all the checks, finances, references before asking the landlord - it’s been the opposite way before.

And I don’t know why they are insisting on a guarantor and 6 months rent upfront.

They were obsessed with the fact that I was giving in my job here when we moved - they said as I’d be unemployed and on JSA we had to have one.

I won’t be claiming JSA. I won’t be in a hurry to look for more work either as Dh wage is more
Than sufficient for where we are moving to. I only work here because rents are unbelievably high.

They couldn’t get their head around me not working when we move - what about all the other stay at home parents?!

But yes I’ll call Monday. I really need to let my work know and negotiate a leaving date.

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 03/01/2020 18:56

Sorry that was confusing - I won’t be on JSA. I’ll
Be a stay at home parent for a while as DH wage is more than enough.

But we’ve got a guarantor for them and shown them we have the funds for 6 months in advance.

It’s frustrating. I hope the landlord is just busy.

As far as we know there are no other applicants. The house has been empty for a while - the photos look like they were taken in the summer and the info on rightmove says it’s was reduced in price in November.

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WombatChocolate · 04/01/2020 10:00

Make sure you have clarified with the agent in writing (email) very clearly that;

  • your DHs salary alone is more than sufficient for rent (name the figure)
  • that you have 6 months rent
  • the guarantor details if still needed
  • that you will not be on any benefits, but a stay at home parent, not needing to work as DH earns enough for whole family

Especially if they seemed confused about JSA it is really important the clarification is in writing and not just verbal,nwhicwhich could result in the LL being given incorrect info.

fastliving · 04/01/2020 23:16

Make sure the agent knows you won't be claiming benefits.
It's very unfair but a lot of mortgages and insurance policies don't allow for tenants on benefits.

Original poster
ODFOkaren · 06/01/2020 10:49

Another very frustrating call with the agent.

Yes they have told the landlord that I will be unemployed and will be on JSA.

They will not listen to reason. They have all the paper work. They can see Dh earnings. But they keep saying they don’t understand how I can be out of work and not be made to claim JSA.

Speaking to them is like stepping into a parallel universe. It’s the oddest thing I have ever experienced in my life!

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Original poster
ODFOkaren · 06/01/2020 10:50

On the case now trying to find other properties.

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