Not getting shortlisted by Landlords

[Brightgreencrayon]

We need to move to a new area in 3 months for work. Properties are coming up but we aren't getting shortlisted for viewings even. We have rented for 4 years in our current house. I work fulltime on an ok salary (£28,000 ish). I'm looking to rent for £800 per month or under. Which I've already paid for years. No smoking. No pets. I don't know what more I can do. I'm stressed we are going to be homeless at this rate. Any ideas? Think I might have to turn down my dream job because I have nowhere to live.

Are you female? Potential maternity discrimination? Use initials?

Yes but I'm married. DH is disabled and so doesn't work which I think is the issue. We have 2 children too. I just wish someone anyone would give us a chance. I have offered to pay 6 months rent upfront if it helps and/or to provide Guarantors. Nothing seems to make any difference.

I worry that if you are young enough they worry the person with the good salary will fall pregnant and they will be letting too family on benefits, to which all the prejudices apply. Try with initials, make sure you are 1st applicant they will assume you are male?

It’s the single income most likely. Not much you can do that you’re not already doing. Perhaps try approaching landlords directly on open rent or whatever the equivalent platform is near you.

You have to speak to them on the phone & provide written application from that details all names and financial position & asks for references etc even to get a viewing so no way round it unfortunately.

@SpaceRaiders

It’s the single income most likely. Not much you can do that you’re not already doing. Perhaps try approaching landlords directly on open rent or whatever the equivalent platform is near you.

Yes I think this is likely to be the issue. Do you think offering to pay more rent than asking price would help?

I would continue to offer to pay in 6 monthly chunks and have a guarantor. This was what we did with our first tenant. We also met with him beforehand (even though the property was managed by an agency).
What area are you looking to move to?

My guess is your not passing affordability. To secure ours we had to show our savings accounts as our income isn’t deemed enough (despite paying the same for 5 years previous).

Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire.How do I know what the affordability is? Estate Agents don't seem to want to tell me anything other than we haven't been successful. But never why. So I can't fix it.

I'm afraid groups like Shelter have campaigned so successfully to make life difficult for landlords that many have exited the sector in the last few years. So the number of suitable properties has shrunk combined with the fact that many have been hit hard in the pandemic and are now selling up or being super selective about who they rent to.

Landlord insurance is lowest when tenants are a professional couple both working outside the home (not so easy to find in the current environment!).

Can you join local community facebook groups for the area you want to rent in and post there what you posted above. Try to personalise it in a "hey look, we're a lovely normal family trying to find a rental property, can you help?"

I would look for landlords that aren't using an agent, as you are more likely to be able to speak to the landlord direct. Try Gumtree, or Facebook for adverts.
There is a shortage of rental property though.

@Houserenoqueen

I would continue to offer to pay in 6 monthly chunks and have a guarantor. This was what we did with our first tenant. We also met with him beforehand (even though the property was managed by an agency). What area are you looking to move to?

Thank you. I will do so. Problem is that have so many applications per property I think they would still prefer 2 good incomes etc. Etc. How long would you give it until just scrap the idea of moving at all? New job starts in early October.

I’m feeling twitchy about my tenancy renewal, the house prices rise means a lot are just going straight for sale instead of renting. I wonder if that’s causing you issues, less coming on the market so more competition?

I don’t know what formulas they use for affordability for renting. I know they used a third party for it all though

@NormaSnorks

I'm afraid groups like Shelter have campaigned so successfully to make life difficult for landlords that many have exited the sector in the last few years. So the number of suitable properties has shrunk combined with the fact that many have been hit hard in the pandemic and are now selling up or being super selective about who they rent to.

Landlord insurance is lowest when tenants are a professional couple both working outside the home (not so easy to find in the current environment!).

Can you join local community facebook groups for the area you want to rent in and post there what you posted above. Try to personalise it in a "hey look, we're a lovely normal family trying to find a rental property, can you help?"

Thanks Norma. I've tried the Facebook route, Gumtree and Open rent. As well as all the normal agencies. There really is nothing. I think I'm going to have to turn down the job and stay put. Luckily I hadn't handed my notice in yet either on current rental or job. We have had such a difficult few years just another kick in the teeth.

Oh that's tough .

Can't the company you want to move to help you in any way?

The formula is usually 30 x the monthly rent. So if you’re looking at properties for 800 a month you would need to earn at least £24k per year which you do so I don’t think the affordability is an issue.

Are you in receipt of benefits due to DHs disability? If so they may be discriminating on this basis and say that they don’t want anyone on benefits. You might actually be better off not declaring anything about DH if at all possible.

The children might also be going against you, many landlords prefer a single or “professional couple” whatever that means.

It’s ridiculous isn’t it. Good luck in your search OP x

Don’t turn down the job though. It might be worth writing a personal application and outlining your situation and a nice landlord may well give you a chance

It seems a shame to turn down a dream job for this reason. Can you look a little further afield and commute from another area where there is more availability/less competition? Can your employers help at all with relocation?

No benefits for DH are being declared on forms because we have had that problem before so I don't think it's that. Think it's just too stiff competition and we aren't an attractive prospect really

@Brightgreencrayon don’t give up! Our tenant was a single guy, unemployed and on benefits. There are other nice (but sensible) landlords out there. I would also try to find landlords directly and explain your income, paying upfront and that you are a nice family who won’t trash the place.

I think our place will be too small, but on the unlikely chance you are moving to the SW AND only needs two beds, it will be available from Oct.

Haverfordwest is my home town and all my family still live there. There are a number of factors going on here-

1. The rental market in the summer is rubbish (it's not unknown to get kicked out so the house can go up for holiday rental for the summer)
2. Local houses for local people- landlords will rent to locals or people with local connections over and above non-locals
3. The single income will be a problem
4. A lot of local landlords will require a guarantor for single income or benefits and would prefer that to 6 months up front
5. There may be factors about the local housing market you don't understand ie. hypothetical example there's a flat to rent in the town center that I know is in an area often occupied by drug users, the landlord might be reluctant to rent to you as they would expect you to complain about the neighbours as you have children.
6. Landlord might not like your new employer, or not think the job is going to really exist due to local gossip!

Feel free to PM me!

Also just seen you are looking to move in 3 months- locally you would be expected to take the property immediately and they could be concerned about you moving and affording it before your new job starts

I completely agree with Norma, I had 23 applicants for one of mine and went under offer within 3 days.

Keep trying op, don’t lose hope just yet. Something will surely come up. In the short term could you perhaps downsize for 6 months? I wouldn’t advise keeping dh “hidden” that will ruin your chances if an agent ever got wind of it.

@Exibstudent

Haverfordwest is my home town and all my family still live there. There are a number of factors going on here-

1. The rental market in the summer is rubbish (it's not unknown to get kicked out so the house can go up for holiday rental for the summer)
2. Local houses for local people- landlords will rent to locals or people with local connections over and above non-locals
3. The single income will be a problem
4. A lot of local landlords will require a guarantor for single income or benefits and would prefer that to 6 months up front
5. There may be factors about the local housing market you don't understand ie. hypothetical example there's a flat to rent in the town center that I know is in an area often occupied by drug users, the landlord might be reluctant to rent to you as they would expect you to complain about the neighbours as you have children.
6. Landlord might not like your new employer, or not think the job is going to really exist due to local gossip!

Feel free to PM me!

I am definitely struggling with the not wanting to rent to outsiders. (We are in Cardiff at the moment) and I almost hear the estate agents groan when I call.

I work from home so could and would take anything immediately now. I do have a guarantor lined up. I'm not sure that estate agents are passing it onto Landlords though.