How long to find rental?

[Gyptian]

We’re buying and selling in a big chain with the latest of a long line of delays now being caused by the top of the chain as they need to find a rental.

We had radio silence for two weeks and I’ve received an update today to say they still haven’t found anywhere. I’m beyond frustrated especially with the stamp duty deadline looming. How long is reasonable?!

Depends. There's bugger all for rent in my town at present. Maybe it's the same where they are?

If they have a dog or a cat it will take much longer.

Don't be hard on your sellers, I'm sure they're trying. They'll know about the stamp duty which is probably one of the reasons there's nothing to rent.
We're at the top of a chain and said we'd rent as we haven't found anywhere to buy yet. I never realised it would be so difficult. We've extended our search area and upped our budget to a point where it will pretty much cripple us.
Generally Agents are letting so many people, maybe 10 or 12 view each property over a couple of days then asking for applications. They get 4 or 5 and the landlord can pick and choose who to accept. So if we've even managed to get a viewing and put in an application we haven't been picked. Presumably landlords are choosing a quiet middle aged couple who look like they'll be staying for a few years, not a family who clearly will only want it for 6-12 months.

I don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to let you know the other side of the story.

@MyrtleBrown-thanks for that perspective. I hadn’t realised that it was so difficult at the moment to find a place to rent but it makes sense that the stamp duty deadline is having an impact. I need to be more patient which I am finding difficult given we first put our house on the market over a year ago!

As tenant fees are now illegal, it costs landlords more to have short termers. If you have pets, the cap on deposits also discourages landlords from taking those.

Complain to shelter who campaigned for these things. Maybe they have some ideas??

I found one quite quickly and with 2 cats! I viewed, accepted, got my references in 2 days and could have moved in the next week! But it depends if they are willing to throw money at it!

It was hard for us to find one in the summer. We had been intending to get a rental in the area we want to move to but that was impossible. We did find one in the area we are in. We offered over asking price and agreed to take on 12 months without a 6 months break. Another family offered more rent than us but insisted on the 6 month break.

Shortage of property as lot of people splitting up per agents who told 2 lots of friends in different parts of country. Both single men without too many prerequisites, one signed up for flat without even seeing it having missed out on a few. Other hasn't even been able to find anything to view.
Also agree re the fees and deposit cap being a problem. Being a landlord now not so attractive (tax, fees etc) plus issues with eviction delays. Landlords who have struggled to get property back will then often have it unavailable for a while for repairs and also some difficulty finding tradesmen is adding to delay. Or even stopping letting and now marketing for sale.