"Making an offer" on a rental?

[HangerLaneGyratorySystem]

Is this some sort of estate agent speak that means nothing or is it a real "thing"? Looking to rent for first time ever, only seen one place so far but have made enquiries about others and each time the agents have talked about "making an offer" for the rent.

I'm looking in an area where although things aren't as difficult as major cities there is still the high rent/lack of properties issue (albeit less of a panicky feel if that makes sense) so why am I being asked about "making an offer"? I thought the rent advertised was the rent, end of story. Surely it's not negotiable, or if you try to start negotiating they just move on to next possible tenant? Anyone experienced this?

Yes I had this in London. Its a bullshit thing where they want you to offer above the rental price.

When I was looking around somewhere with a broken window I mentioned about it needing to be fixed and was told I could discuss with the landlord when I made my offer. Its a bad tactic because a landlord will obviously pick someone not asking them to do any repairs.

I only had it with certain agencies so you may be better going through a private landlord if you can.

Good luck with your search 😊

Yes, but in other times it's normal to offer under the rental amount advertised too. As for repairs - more fool any tenant who doesn't expect a fully functional, clean property with a properly executed inventory, signed by both parties.
Four years ago my tenants asked for one wall of wallpaper to be removed and one blind changed (they didn't like the colour - it was newish), as the market favoured tenants at the time I obliged. These days it's much more competitive and I wouldn't have to, but the place would still be clean and in good working order.

I've never heard of this, and have mostly been renting for at least the last 10 years, albeit mostly in areas with a pretty competitive rental market.

If you're happy with the advertised rent and think it's fair, I think I'd just say I'd be happy with that. If they want you to offer higher, I'd probably walk away- and if they would have been happy with a lower offer, hopefully you'll face less rent rises in future years.

You could also explicitly ask them if they mean a higher or lower offer?

I had this last summer in Yorkshire. Basically closed bids. The application form said 'what is the maximum amount you would be prepared to pay for this property?'

We put in the asking price, didn't get it.

We thought it was a massive piss take for a house where the LL was not prepared to fix two sets of patio doors that would thus be kept locked, a metal balcony railing thus no use of the balcony was allowed, oh, and you couldn't use the garage because it was full of their stuff.

Unfortunately it is legal and seemingly not uncommon when LLs have the upper hand.

I would suggest you hold out til after schools return if you can.

Idk what price bracket you are looking at, but in early July I saw tons over the 1k mark reduced, some by as much as 25%. That has slowed down massively, I expect they hope to take advantage of families needing to move for school. I expect it will start happening again once school is back.

You can get a chrome add on that shows you price history.

There's nothing much being offered really, just a few places that have been on Rightmove for 6 months and not gone, no good to anyone and overpriced, so I don't expect to see much before 1st September.

I will just be upfront but basically if I see something advertised at £1,500 then that's all I am going to offer to pay if they want more I'll go elsewhere. Thanks all.