Anyone know how estate agents work?

[HforHavana]

We are looking to rent and the perfect house has came up. We rang the estate agents to express interest within 19 minutes of it being posted so I think we were the first to contact them. It was posted a week ago, but the landlord hasn't dropped the keys in yet so estate agent cannot do anything until then. (I have posted about this before, neighbour said someone had signed the tenancy which was a complete lie).

Speaking to other neighbours of the property lastnight, (MIL happened to know them!), they said so much interest has been shown in the house, people constantly driving by to have a look, posting letters through the door etc. But landlord has said he is strictly going through the estate agent as he doesn't want to deal with it himself.

Anyway, my question is, as we were (probably) the first to enquire, will we be top of the list to call when the estate agents do finally get the keys, or will it be just whoever calls up first after the keys have been dropped in?

We desperately want this house but hope is dwindling by the day

If there’s a lot of interest, the landlord/agent will usually ask you to submit your position in writing - so your income, what you do for a living, whether you have children or pets, whether you work from home, how long you expect to stay etc and then will choose the most attractive applicant. Which is usually the one with the highest income, most secure employment prospects, no children or pets, wants to stay long term and so on.

Oo interesting, Iv never heard of that before! I mean, we have good answers to all them questions, good jobs, decent incomes, no pets etc. However I'm currently pregnant (no other kids), will this need to be disclosed? And will this look negative?

If you really do desperately want it, and if you can afford to turn offer a higher monthly rent amount. Even £50 over can seal the deal sometimes.

Also call again and make a point that you know the neighbours etc. Anything to go in your favour and make you stand out.

Thanks @Emimummy my partner has rang nearly everyday to see if they have the keys yet, they know we are very keen, but worried he's ringing too much! Will consider your points about the rent and knowing the neighbours too! Really helpful Thankyou

No I don't think so, it will be the people who the estate agents have a relationship with. The people who have been liaising with the agents before now. If anyone has said they're looking to rent locally to get an idea of the area before buying, they'll also be at the top of the list (as improves estate agents' chances of getting commission later down the line). So too will anyone with a property being sold by the same agents - same argument re commission. Anyone with a link to a property developer etc etc.

It all comes down to how "valuable" you are to the EA. I don't think a tenuous link to a neighbour adds anything at all - sorry.

Sorry OP. Keep hassling the agent. Don't feel bad about that. But PP are right. Landlords want to pick the best tenant not the first one. I.e. one with good references, in full time secure work etc

The estate agent will put forward the offers to the landlord - I would keep chasing them for the keys as they will just want plenty of people to view and make offers so the landlord knows they are doing their job, they won’t care if you personally get to see the property or not. The landlord will then choose their favourite applicant.

Thanks everyone, we will keep on top of the EA. We asked to put a holding deposit down to secure, but they won't let us without viewing first, but we can't view because they don't have keys! Very annoying, just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!

By the time property is on line here it's been sold already. You need to get a relationship with all the EAs.

Could you ask MIL to get in touch with the neighbours and ask neighbours if they have the landlord's contact details as you're very very keen to move there and explain no keys at the EA is the problem, and hopefully get in that way?

You could also try the tack that as you know the neighbours you are familiar with the layout of the house and quite happy to rent a similar property

If the photos are detailed and you REALLY need the property I would email the estate agent to offer on it now, offering over the requested rent and setting out your income, jobs, references etc. On the condition of viewings not going ahead, and ask them when you can send the holding deposit.