Reassure me that you can have good experiences renting

[Kaloki]

I've just had bad experience after bad experience and I'm so tired of it all. Please reassure me that not everyone who lets out properties is out to screw us over

I just want to live somewhere safe, in half decent condition without abuse.

So sorry you are having to go through this!

Have you always lived in the same area? We live in a wonderful rental, but we did have our fair share of bad rentals. Very much a lottery.

Would you be eligible for a housing association property?

Maybe have a look and see if you are using letting agents if they are ARLA registered.

Just throwing some ideas out as a standing point as you don't mention what type of tenancy or whether it's through an agency, etc.

It's all been in Brighton. We wouldn't be high up in the list for HA, so really private renting is our best bet. It's all been through letting agents so far, though we have had a particularly lovely (read: threatening) phonecall directly from a previous landlord.

It's all been in Brighton. We wouldn't be high up in the list for HA, so really private renting is our best bet. It's all been through letting agents so far, though we have had a particularly lovely (read: threatening) phonecall directly from a previous landlord.

Just off the top of my head....are you renting a specific type of property? I.e a flat. Whereas if you expanded what type of property it may work better.

Also, does the local council have a list of approved landlords? Even if you are not planning to go via the council, it could give an indication as to local letting agents.

The old-fashioned putting a card in a newsagents window may be a good idea. I found a rental of mine by responding to an ad someone had posted on the work noticeboard. He didn't even work for the company, but just dropped off a poster to each reception desk in local companies. The reverse approach may work for you.

Hope this helps.

We can only find flats in our budget unfortunately. I've not been able to find a list of approved landlords actually (if anyone knows of one for Enfield that'd be great)

Thankyou for that idea though Buddy, will give it a try

No problem. It may be worth your while getting on the list for housing associations. You never know what crops up. Someone I know did that, not expecting to hear anything, and has had responses.

That aside, I wouldn't dismiss houses. Our rental costs the same as a flat, we were just lucky to find the right agent and the right time and the right property phew! Maybe a maisonette could be in budget?

ARLA may have a list of recommended landlords. I would assume very easy to check via thier website. Hope things get better soon.

It's just luck unfortunately! We have a fairly good landlord who sorts out any major problems but doesn't do a lot of general maintenance. Our rent has stayed the same for 3 years though - well below market now so we put up with it!

I wonder if it might be better to rent through an agent who does the work/maintenance? They may be more willing to get it done quickly.

Like Buddy says, renting is a lottery - it shouldn't be but it is

Good luck with finding somewhere soon