Refused by landlords

[Propertysearch]

Please can someone advise me. I am trying to rent privately. I have spoken to several estate agents and been to a few viewings. I make offers on the properties but have been rejected each time. The agents then don’t take my calls. I’m feeling pretty awful about it. Can any landlord advise me please?

I do not earn enough money to pass the affordability but I do have savings over and above what has been mentioned to me as being acceptable. I have enough money readily available to pay 36 months rent. I am not getting far enough with the offers to have had a chance to prove this.

I will be getting an allowance to pay for the rent and i think it has t o be the factor putting people off. The estate agents are avoiding me now. Can anyone advise me please? What am i doing wrong?

I haven't got any advice that hasn't already been given but I was in a similar boat to you last year.

Eventually I found a house where in the agents words the landlord "wasn't bothered so long as the rent is paid". We also paid 3 months upfront which I think sealed it for us.

All I can suggest is to keep trying. I had a lot of unreturned phone calls too and was getting pretty desperate. I see a lot of FB posts in my local area asking if anyone is letting privately so that could be an option?

@rageagainstbing

I haven't got any advice that hasn't already been given but I was in a similar boat to you last year.

Eventually I found a house where in the agents words the landlord "wasn't bothered so long as the rent is paid". We also paid 3 months upfront which I think sealed it for us.

All I can suggest is to keep trying. I had a lot of unreturned phone calls too and was getting pretty desperate. I see a lot of FB posts in my local area asking if anyone is letting privately so that could be an option?

Thank you very much. This is really encouraging. I just feel so ashamed when the agents are all keen and smiley and then cut me off. I’m struggling with the stress and the shame.

I’m a landlord. I have rented to people who don’t pass the normal credit and income checks: usually foreign students. What I do in this circumstance is ask for all the rent to be paid upfront. This takes away any risk for me. Have you offered to pay upfront in this way?

@VanCleefArpels

I’m a landlord. I have rented to people who don’t pass the normal credit and income checks: usually foreign students. What I do in this circumstance is ask for all the rent to be paid upfront. This takes away any risk for me. Have you offered to pay upfront in this way?

I mentioned to the agent that I could do this but I didn’t get a response. But thanks so much. I feel encouraged.

Do you think it’s because you’ve discussed it upfront? I’ve rented for years and never passed the affordability checks and I never disclose this until I make an offer and the offer paperwork is sent to me and I put my job and then my guarantor down there too. Never been declined, ever.

@LadyVersacee

Do you think it’s because you’ve discussed it upfront? I’ve rented for years and never passed the affordability checks and I never disclose this until I make an offer and the offer paperwork is sent to me and I put my job and then my guarantor down there too. Never been declined, ever.

This is very interesting. Maybe I’m saying too much?

@LadyVersacee I have another viewing coming up. The agent knows my story but maybe I’ll just fill in forms and make an offer without mentioning the allowance part? But the local authority would be my guarantor. And I might be asked for a bio. But I’ll try this I think

I think you should report this on the fostering board.

I'm confused as to how you can be planning on moving house twice in 12 months as a foster carer? That's a lot of instability for foster children. Do you actually have any in placement with you now? If the allowance you are expecting is for children you don't currently have you should be aware that this isn't a guaranteed income. Placements can end at a moment's notice and leave you with no allowance. I don't think it is a secure enough income for renting. You don't have employment rights.

Have you actually been approved as a FC? Is your SSW supportive of your plans?

Why are you looking at renting instead of buying/staying put?

What about the home visits and adaptations you need to make to a foster house- locks on cupboards etc- will you pay extra for that?

That's not even getting to the increased chance of damage to the house and worst case scenario angry parents tracking you down and targeting the house.

I'm supportive of foster carers but I wouldn't let a house out to them.

Plus landlords want long term tenants not someone who wants to move out in a year as that risks a void period.

@felulageller

I think you should report this on the fostering board.

I'm confused as to how you can be planning on moving house twice in 12 months as a foster carer? That's a lot of instability for foster children. Do you actually have any in placement with you now? If the allowance you are expecting is for children you don't currently have you should be aware that this isn't a guaranteed income. Placements can end at a moment's notice and leave you with no allowance. I don't think it is a secure enough income for renting. You don't have employment rights.

Have you actually been approved as a FC? Is your SSW supportive of your plans?

Why are you looking at renting instead of buying/staying put?

What about the home visits and adaptations you need to make to a foster house- locks on cupboards etc- will you pay extra for that?

That's not even getting to the increased chance of damage to the house and worst case scenario angry parents tracking you down and targeting the house.

I'm supportive of foster carers but I wouldn't let a house out to them.

Plus landlords want long term tenants not someone who wants to move out in a year as that risks a void period.

Thanks. None of this is relevant to my case though. But it’s an insight into how minds might spiral when they think of fostering.

@felulageller I actually think you might have hit the nail on the head there! All those negative thoughts triggered by the term foster carer. I’m not criticising you. You have given me an insight into what is happening. It wasn’t clear to me before this because none of those things are anything to do with my situation. So I don’t always know how we could be perceived.
And no - the allowance is nothing at all to do with fostering.

I now have three estate agents who have started off super- friendly and who are now not speaking to me. It feels a bit like I’m in a psychological thriller.
Each time the next one says- “sorry you’ve had this problem, leave it with me and I’ll definitely get back to you once I’ve asked the landlord for feedback. Give me a couple of hours and I’ll call you back”Then I never hear from them again and presume they are lost to the dark side.