I’ve been trying to find someone decent to live on open rent for about a month. I’ve been going to countless viewings for properties I like and every single time I can’t even get around to even putting and offer or deposit in. The first few times it’s okay because you know everyone is always look in for housing so you may have just missed out but when it gets to the point of like over 30 viewings there seems to be a pattern.
I arrive on time, dressed well and clean. I have manners and always offer to take my shoes off. I’d like to think u am personable to the home owners also.
I look younger than my age im 34 but admittedly I look like im in my early 20’s and im black and self employed. I don’t want to make anything about race or age but I can’t help but feel like there’s an overarching pattern here. It’s like I’m being funnelled into taking a property that I do not want. Anything over a certain standard it’s as if they don’t want to give it to me. As I have dealt with discrimination like this in the past I lt can’t help but feel eerily similar. What do I do?
Welcome Luke. Sorry to hear you are having a challenging time securing a tenancy.
If you are self employed, do you have 3 years worth of accounts showing solid and increasing income?. LL’s will generally select tenants on the basis of assured income first and then current and previous LL references, timescale, et al. If most other applicants are employed on PAYE the LL’s will go with them in the first instance based on affordability of at least 3x the rent. Perhaps discuss your experiences with local letting agents and ask their advice in a face to face sit down chat to promote your credentials? Perhaps you have already done this?
Right or wrong, discrimination on employment status isnt illegal. Make clear before viewings that you are self employed have sufficient income and if possible a guarantor.
Self employed is what I saw. As above , how long , what type of business and also offer to show past years tax returns and bank statements as these will prove your ability to remain self employed and able to afford the rent and any future increases.
I’ve been self employed for three years and I’m a music business consultant. All my paperwork is good and my accounts or more than satisfactory. The issue is I never even get to this part of the process.
If there is high demand for limited property in the areas you are looking for , you could well be in the majority of people feeling frustrated and disappointed. Maybe widen your search area and just keep applying. Good luck
In your case, it is most likely being self employed that is affecting your chances as others have said. Are you applying for properties via estate agents or directly advertised by landlords?Unfortunately, landlords are extremely sensitive to the vibe they get from their prospective tenants.
I’ll give an example of how landlords might think. A lady with a decent job applied for my property last month. When booking the viewing, she kept on rejecting all the day/time slots I had suggested. She then suggested a day/ time herself, but when I agreed to it, she suddenly changed her mind again saying she’s unavailable (no reason provided). I asked her to ring me to find a time that works for both of us, but she wouldn’t. She would not give me her phone number either saying she she’s a very private person. On the day of the viewing, she arrived late but didn’t bother to text /call saying she’s running late. She was dressed smartly, took her shoes off, spoke nicely during the viewing but I had already developed an opinion of her as a difficult person by then. She liked my place but I said no to her. She immediately jumped to the conclusion that she is being discriminated against her because of her race and sent me horrible message via the app later. I had known that she was on a visa from a certain country and what her ethnicity could have been when she had first emailed me. If I had a problem with her race, I wouldn’t responded to her first email .
The point I’m trying to make is, sometimes it might seem that you are being rejected because of discrimination, but it can be something totally different. People don’t usually realise how they are projecting themselves during viewings. Could there be something about you that is unconsciously putting people off?
I suggest when you go for your next viewing, before you leave the property, ask the landlord “I really like your place, am keen to progress and will look after your place if you pick me. Do you have any concerns about me at this stage?” and see what they say.
Too passive. Would you do that when pitching for work? Remember LLs get agents to do viewings not just to save time but also to get their opinions on prospective tenants.
All sorts of people do have all sorts of prejudices and unconscious biases. When doing viewings make sure you arent just looking and asking questions but also putting across your case to the agent re having a guarantor, stable income. If you can, say you have several months savings too. And insurance against getting sick. Good refs from previous LLs. Willingness to share evidence of past rent paid on time regularly. A good credit rating with no ccjs.
Remember some LLs understandably consider self employed as having higher risks…less regular income less protection against illness. And it’s harder for them to pass the automated referencing checks needed to get RGI. So dont just wait to be asked. Send as much positive info (summarize key points) before the viewing (more chance to get a viewing so good to do anyway) and re-emphasise it at the viewings too
Other things you can do - be willing to move as soon as possible, say ready to put down the deposit
And ask for feedback from agents, register with some local ones and keep calling them - after a while they will know you and will think of you when a suitable property becomes available
Perhaps take a friend with you during viewings too if you can, see if they get any vibes.
Ultimately you cant stop some agents or LLs being racist (whether consciously or not), but you can put yourself across as positively as possible. Remember there are LLs of all colours and races too.
I understand what you’re trying to say but as previously mentioned. My comms are intentionally well put together and professional. I’m always on time and very communicative that I am either here or on my way. My profession demands that I am highly aware of how I am being perceived by people. I even dress accordingly knowing that people can formulate opinions based on your attire and how put together you are. If I was oblivious to human perception and the fact there could be things putting of a potential land lord than I would hear it more. It’s a lived experience for me to have subtle prejudice or discrimination intersect with your daily and professional life and to limit opportunity. I don’t want to make it a race thing as it’s reductive but I can’t help but notice a pattern. That’s why I’ve come here to try and pinpoint any other reasoning that could be affecting my ability to rent or if there’s something I could be doing differently. Appreciate your insight nonetheless.
This is helpful, thank you David. I usually don’t want to come off as pushy or ‘too keen’ but you have a point. Will try that going forward as I have all of the relevant things you listed I just don’t usually present them in passing when communicating or viewing the property.
Keep at it Luke. You will get there eventually. Its a numbers game. Your self employment is the key factor against you, partly because if you fall into arrears a landlord cant get an attachment of earnings order against you as they can with an employed person. To counteract this, I would be looking for some short key facts showing the stability and longevity of your business/self-employment.