Advert paused ..72 hours to choose an online application is crazy

Landlord Discussion
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Hi, first time using this platform and there are some very cryptic and infuriating things.

Advert placed , all seems straightforward .

I start getting messages in from prospective tenants . A few look good , Open rent suggests I send application to them. I do .

That part seems ok, as I get to see their names and employment info .

I can shortlist from there , and engage in more message chat , and arrange a virtual meeting first . If they pass my checks , then a physical meeting and a viewing . Which a takes days to organise around both parties availability - some aren’t in same city or country .

All that takes time. Much more than 72 hours .

Now after 72 hours I have my advert listing paused because it appears I haven’t accepted one of the applications .
I need time for virtual meeting , then actual meeting plus to organise a viewing . Then I have to credit check them and then finally decide which applicant is the best for my property. This can take several days up to a week or more .
In the meantime I still want to my listing to be active to see if any other better candidates apply.
I don’t want to use rent now . I will use open rent referencing , once I have met and done viewing and shortlist to 2 or 3 applications.
Then I will prepare and issue a lease via Scottish government website .
All this take around a week minimum.
Can you please advise what I need to do active my listing again ?

Does any decent landlord accept an online rent now application in 72 hours ? That is just crazy to me.
Many thanks

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This is part of OpenRent’s terms to make a decision on an application within 96 hours. If you’re not ready to accept an application, you can reject it and have the tenants place another application later. Alternatively you can accept it and then later cancel it if the references are unsatisfactory.

You should just be able to go to your listing and press “reactivate” or “republish”, something like that.

1 Like
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another reason why many of us only use OR for advertising and nothing else.

Personally, I don’t invite them to fill in an application form until

  1. They’ve passed my initial screening questions on the phone
  2. I’ve met them in person at a viewing and the vibe is still positive
  3. They’ve signed a data protection form
  4. I’ve checked they have the right to rent

Step 5 is the application form. Def weeds out time-wasters.

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Thanks , yes that’s the way I like to work as well. But then Issue lease myself .
It’s crazy it wants you to accept someone you have not met, or had more than 72 hours to set up a meeting and viewing etc.

Does anyone actually work the way the platform wants you to ? !
Think that is downright reckless & dangerous for all parties

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I have replied to your other post. The system works fine. I think you are just misunderstanding how it works. I’ve never felt pressure to make any quick decisions.

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Personally I don’t move forward with any tenant unless they have viewed the property and i am reasonably comfortable with their status. I have never therefore been hit with the 72 hour rule even using rent now. I use pre-screening questions in my listings which help reduce unsuitable tenants but not foolproof.

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With respect, I think perhaps you might have misunderstood Steve’s comment Karl. He said

In other words, Steve’s complaint is not so much about the 72-hour rule, but the fact that OR’s platform actually suggested at a very early stage that he should do something that would give him a unnecessarily tight 72-hour deadline.

And I think that is a valid complaint.

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My contary perspective is that I have never felt any pressure, so am unsure which email @steve50 is referring too. These are the emails I have received. To my recolection, I have never received any email from openrent suggesting I invite someone to make an application which then ties me in to moving quickly. These are the emails I have received, and as you will see, none put on any pressure.

When a applicant enquires;

*We have a tenant [name] interested in viewing your [Property details]

The tenant has said they would like to view the property Between 9am and 10am Monday to Friday.

Please contact them to organise a viewing as soon as possible*

After an applicant has viewed;

*We hope your viewing went well with [applicants name].

Would you be happy to rent your property to [applicants name]? If so, let them know by requesting a holding deposit.

If they accept your request and place a holding deposit, we can help you with the referencing and then provide a customisable contract for all the parties to sign online as part of our Rent Now service.

Click below to view your message history or request a holding deposit*

After a holding deposit has been placed;

*A holding deposit has been placed on your property: [Property details]

This is an application to begin Rent Now, OpenRent’s tenancy creation tool. The cost has already been covered by your Rent Now credit (usual cost is £69).

The tenants have proposed a move in date of: [Date]

It is now up to you to decide how we proceed, you can view full details of your available options here: [Link to choose if to proceed or not]

*The tenants are awaiting a response from you.

If this is an unwanted holding deposit, or you are not ready to proceed with it in the next 96 hours, you can return the holding deposit above*

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So @Steve50, how exactly did OR make that suggestion to you?

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