What's the best way to find a private landlord?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I'm starting to look for a new rented house as I have my heart set on moving to a little town I've always liked, near to a school.

We have to have a private landlord as to the best of my knowledge all agencies do credit checks, which we most likely won't pass, although we have paid every rent payment on time so should have a good reference off current landlord to give to the prospective new one.

I'm finding it really hard to find a private landlord online for the town I want to move to, I have registered myself on a couple of sites saying I am looking for a house, not had any response.

What else can I try? Are housing associations only for people in difficulty?

I'm not in any sort of difficulty and I rent a housing association house. Give it a try as they are normally cheaper than private rented.

Oh, good! I wasn't sure whether they had a points system like the council. Are they significantly cheaper then?

Finding a private landlord is so hard, it seems to be all about who you know, obviously they don't have to advertise that much.

Oh, and to pick your brain a bit more on housing association house, as I have no idea: are they just regular houses, or are they ex council houses? do you think they credit check you? do you have a choice which house you rent or do they just offer you one? do you still have to pay a deposit, like you normally would?

thanks!

Where I am living now is £70 a week for 3 bedhouse. House down the street private rental £100 a week 3 bed. I paid £140 deposit. Regular houses and flats, none are ex council that I know of. There are estates that have been built like how the council have but they have also bought random houses from all over town. As for the credit check I think they do a basic one, because if they did a full one I don't think I would have got my house now. You normally get put on a waiting list for the area you want and the size you need.I was offered one in 3 months but this varies for the different waiting lists. I took the first one that was offered to me as I liked the street but I think you could refuse your first offer but not sure if you would get knocked down the waiting list. Oh and they did have a points system but I'm not sure they stick to it because I only had something like 15 points which is low as you needed about 50 I think. Hope this helps.

Thanks unicorn that helps a lot! I'm currently paying £475 a month for a two up two down with no proper garden just a postage stamp of concrete at the back, and it's got damp problems. The deposit was also £475. I've since found out you can get the same kind of house round here for around £350 p/m, so we want to get out as it's wasted money.

I'll definitely look into housing associations then, hope they don't credit check though as my credit score is rubbish. Thanks again!

By the way I am with Accent Housing and I've had no problems with them. If something has needed fixing they've normally called round within 24 hours to fix it. This is also the first house I've lived in that hasn't got damp and I've lived in 9 houses since I left my parents home. Hope it works out for you. Good Luck.