Beer in mind that some Private rented sector landlords may only deal with tenants direct. I had a bad experience with a pushy agent once and now refuse to deal with them. I insist on liaising direct with a tenant (at a time that suits them) as they will be the ones living in the property and I will need to communicate with them going forward.
Pushy agent: I want to come and see your property on behalf of my client, I’ll be there in 15 mins please let me know the address
me: I am not doing viewings today, I am doing them at the x evening and also x day at weekend. Please would you answer some screening questions on behalf of your client [asks quesrions].
Pushy agent: I have done full background checks on them but I don’t know their income, I don’t know right to rent status. I don’t know why they are wanting to move., I don’t know how long they want to rent your property for. What is a CCJ?
me: please ask your client to liaise with me direct
Pushy agent:, I promised my client I would book an appointment for me to view this today and then secure the property so you have to let me see it today you are ruining my life
Me:, I look forward to speaking direct with your clients. - hangs up.
it is tough for tenants .,I know lots of landlords have left the market due to the tax regime and regulations. There are many fewer properties to rent as a result. I had an advert recently and got 82 enquiries in two days. We always have a rate below market levels so it was about £200 cheaper than most similar properties and newly refurbished.. After the two days I had to close the advert and after liaising with every single one of the 82 enquiries got a list of 14 viewings. 4 didn’t turn up, of the rest I would gladly have rented to most of them but chose the ones most in need who also wouldn’t struggle with the rent as didn’t want them miserable. It was a couple where the woman was 8 months pregnant and so needed to stop sofa surfing pretty urgently., I felt awful letting down a divorced woman wanting to move out, a son whose mother had dementia and lived nearby and others. I got vitriolic abuse from one lot who didn’t get the property, I had calls with threats. They were ones who got a viewing but didn’t turn up and so wanted to view on another day and were not happy when I told them it had been let.
tips from a landlord:
resd the ‘how to rent’ government booklet
have evidence of income ready
have access to your Credit Karma or similar credit report
have information on your right to rent (visa, passport etc) don’t get angry with landlord when they ask, it is a legal requirement
be clear and concise about why you want the property
at viewings don’t walk mud on new carpets or let children draw on walls
register on OpenRent where lots of private landlords use, properties will end up on riggtmove etc but appear here first
good luck!