tips on being the most desirable!?

[Sugarbelle]

hello,

me and my partner are going to view a house to rent this evening. we both absolutely love it, it's in the perfect area, beautiful garden it's just lovely. the estate agent told me its been very popular, but we have the first viewing.

we have the money for deposit and rent ready to go and can leave our current property whenever.

so, aside from this, any tips on being the most desirable if other viewers say they like it too!? we both earn decent money and we have a daughter. I guess it depends if landlord is leaning more towards families or not!? it is an area with lots of play parks so I'm really hoping!

Speaking as a landlord, as long a you can afford the rent, you’re good to go

Where landlords have a choice of good tenants, they'll be looking for:

• stable jobs / income stream
• good affordability levels / ability to pay
• long-term renters
• keen to stay (child in the local school, local job etc)
• low wear & tear (less people, less pets)
• low agro (happy to maintain, do odd jobs)
• good references
• flexible to their timescales

Good luck!

we have the money to (hopefully) go and no pets.

both dont smoke and certainly looking to rent long term!

I think the only potential thing that could be downside like I said is we have a young child, I'm not sure if this is off putting but the area it is in, is very family orientated, there are 2 schools very close by and multiple play parks so I imagine they assumed families would be interested.

thanks!

Offering 6 months rent in advance is sometimes desirable to Landlords and is the way to make you a first choice. However I have been told by one once that "That's what cannabis farmers do when they rent houses(!!!!)" 🙄

I privately rented for 19 years until 2019 and in that time I've moved a fair few times so I know the process in & out!

Overall, extra rent in advance is the way to go but it really does depend on the landlord AND the agent. Sadly, the way a lot of agents operate with popular properties, is to wait a couple of weeks to gather all the applications and then put them to the landlord for him/her to then pick the most well off!
Doesn't work well for single people (like me!) or those not on a high income but the fact that you're a couple will work in your favour.
The amount of phone calls I've had from agents saying "I'm sorry, the Landlord chose a couple. Both on a higher income than yourself" 😒

Just an FYI - The agent will usually require your (total household) income to be at least 2.5 times the rent (monthly) and in most cases, you'll also need a Guarantor who is a home owner and earning at least 3 times the rent monthly.

Best of luck!! 🤞🏻

Guarantors used to only be needed if your income was low. However over the years they've now become a standard requirement for most Letting Agents/Estate Agents, unless your household income is above £50/60k!

That's the case where I live at least. It may be totally different where you are.
Where I am, rentals are becoming the preserve of the elite! In my town, a working class family stand next to NO chance of finding a home without making it to the top of the housing list or knowing a private landlord who doesn't use agents.

fortunately we do earn over 50k combined. we just saw the property. told the agent we were interested and he said the people coming to view it after us actually booked first so he had to honour that but he thought we would be okay because we earnt more and that the woman was on maternity...

my partner will be very disappointed as he has really fallen in love with the place but i have warned him we might not get it because these people may also say they want it and because they were first who knows! I'm hoping but I'm really not sure.

Speaking as a landlord I think you sound like a really good proposition. Come across as sensible, enthusiastic but not bonkers, appreciative of the area ( they will think you’ll be likely to stay longer) . If your combined income passes the affordability test you shouldn’t need a guarantor.

we have just had a call from the agent, he said the people who booked first liked it too. so it is basically up to the landlord now but he did reiterate that we earn more which may swing it in our favour or the landlord might give it to them cos they booked first, he couldnt give any guarantees.

he did say he hoped we got it because we seemed like a really nice family but he could of said that to them as well for all I know!

@Sugarbelle

we have just had a call from the agent, he said the people who booked first liked it too. so it is basically up to the landlord now but he did reiterate that we earn more which may swing it in our favour or the landlord might give it to them cos they booked first, he couldnt give any guarantees.

he did say he hoped we got it because we seemed like a really nice family but he could of said that to them as well for all I know!

Fingers crossed! I expect the Landlord will care more about a tenant's ability to pay - which it sounds like you're more able to than the other couple.

Please update us!!

I will do!

not gonna lie, I've tried not to get my hopes up but I will be disappointed. the more I think about it the more perfect it is. I have told where I currently live that I wont be entering into another fixed term contract with them but rather a rolling one so atleast if we dont get this one we are not trapped for another year but still. it's one of those places I'm not sure anything like it will come up again soon!