Me my partner and our 2 children are desperately looking to private rent another home. We have been in our current property over 10 years, we have a good relationship with our LL who can reference for us. We are being issued a section 21 in a few months but the LL thankfully gave us a little warning to start looking first. The sell is through no fault of our own he’s just selling as he’s moving away from the area. We really want to continue to private rent as sadly due to our ages and funds we’re not in the position to buy.
Houses around our area and just outside seems to be snapped up rapidly. One agent told us they have 150 email enquiries per home so the competition is real but some just let a few people view at a time.
When we manage to get viewings and unsuccessful I’m thinking what could be putting LL off. I’ve come out my part time job to care for my son as he is disabled and not doing much school at the moment (so not in full time work). My partner is self employed but full time with good wages (do they see self employed as unreliable), we get a UC top up (I know the old no DSS sign) also I know it could be possibly because we have kids (they think they’re ruin the house)?
What I like to think are our good points is we always meet all the required annual salary that’s asked before viewing, we don’t smoke, no pets, got a great over 10 year reference, have a guarantor who has also been our guarantor for this current rental and we’ve never had to use him, we have good credit scores. We really do look after the home and fix things when we can rather then bug the LL. Also we are looking for long term let, the longer the better.
We can’t offer 6 months full rent upfront which I’ve heard people do. We are looking every day on every website, have alerts set up, plus asked friends and family. I’ve also signed up to every agency. We really don’t want to go down the council route if we can help it especially temporary accommodation.
I understand the competition is massive but I feel there will always be someone better on paper than us and it’s a lossing battle and it can get really worrying although I’m trying to stay positive.
Yes I have the money to move straight away it’s worth the overlap and I believe the LL would be ok with this also as I think he really doesn’t want to give the section 21 unless his hand is forced as he knows I’ll have to stay until the council tell me otherwise and that could get messy and expensive. I don’t want the balifs around that worries me! It will be completely heartbreaking if after such a great tenancy and we even have the money to move we end up finding nothing! I also don’t know if I’m being to keen at the viewings, although I’ve only managed to get 3 viewings so far but I’ve applied for so many I even ring agencies once a week to see if something new is coming up, some you have to fill out a form before viewing with all your details and thats all the landlord sees its like a CV.
Also one viewing I told her I was a carer when she realised is was carer allowance her face dropped because in there eyes it’s not a proper job although my feet would tell you differently I also be honest no point in hiding and pretending to be a carer in a care home they will only find out. I even offer to put a security deposit down and tell them I’m happy to even meet the LL prior. See maybe I’m to keen!
I do sympathies. It is a very difficult time to find rental property at the moment. It sounds like you are doing all you can, keep trying & keep positive.
The reality is that there are many tenants for each property, and unfortunately the Gov continues to make decisions which encourage Landlords to leave the industry.
Sadly, relying on any benefits does put you at a disadvantage as will being s/e, as its sometimes more difficult for Landlord’s to prove s/e income. Either of these might mean they decide the ‘easy road’ to just rule you out from the start.
Have you asked your existing Landlord for a written reference that you can forward to or show on viewings to your prospective Landlord. Likely they will want to approach them directly anyway, but if that reference says how well you have looked after their home, it might help.
Its going to be a numbers game. Keep trying & being positive about the house you are viewing, how much you love it, and how suitable it is for you is all good.
Yes I have a letter which states the reason he is selling that’s not down to any fault of mine and it also states that I’m a first class tenant with his details for a more in-depth reference. I print and take this to each viewing it just seems to be that money and where it’s coming from is king here.
I do also feel for anyone in this position and I know I’m definitely not alone.
I’m trying to stick to the what’s meant to be will be and everything happens for a reason. I’m also not showing my worry around the children.
Fingers crossed something comes up, it will definitely feel like a massive weight lifted
My partner does have t least 6 years of tax returns statements and we get them all done professionally. All his tax returns are around bout the same give or take
You sound like you’re doing all you can so I don’t really have anything more to suggest. It’s just a case of keeping on keeping on. There are LLs like me out there who would take you on.
It’s such a worrying time isn’t it. It really is a rollercoaster experience. You have ups and downs but the downs are hard I’m dreading the section 21 good luck to you as well
Hello
New here
Just came across your post and I’m sorry to hear you’re in this position.
I am also in this position but my section 21 has already endedand I am still struggling to find a home for my family. The rents in my area are ridiculously expensive.
I have 3 kids one of which is in her last year of primary and one that has just started college.
Good luck in your search.
I’m really sorry to read this are you able to get much help from the council. Honestly it’s dog eat dog out there. Makes me feel like I’m not even good enough for a rental. Sending lots and lots of good luck your way for you and your children
Council have told me if I don’t find anything I will have to be moved to emergency accommodation out of the city I live in with my kids until a space in a hostel becomes available. I have always rented private since I was 20 and always paid my rent on time and I have a great reference from my landlord.But now I feel stuck like I can’t move forward and I don’t even know what to tell my kids.
I think that’s what guttening all the rent always paid and a priority for what all this worry. As I’ve said I feel for anyone who has to go through this I really do. I’m sure your doing all you can and an amazing job. I don’t know how much hope you have left now but try to hold that tight
It seems that Rachel Reeves will not be increasing CGT on second homes.
This May steady the exodus of landlords from the market and help your cause.
However banning s21 is a big factor in LL selling up.
If this government doesn’t put the brakes on the anti landlord rhetoric the shortage of private rentals will only get worse .
The problem is they are only hearing the problems with LL . There are two sides to every story .
They need to listen to tenants with good relationships with their LL and set a balanced policy for both parties.
Unfortunately government is only content with filling their own coffers and not on the reality of their dire decisions.
Perhaps if we all chip in and buy them clothes and a few concert tickets we could help dissuade them from their destructive course…….
As one journalist wrote , (I think in the independent)
They should start the national penthouse contribution tax. This is to help facilitate children studying for their exams in multi million pound apartments in prime real estate ……
I know right…feels like I’m battling for a most basic need. All I want is a roof to put over my family’s head. Seems impossible at the moment.
My relationship with my LL will be in tatters after this and may ruin my chances in future to rent private. It’s feels criminal this is allowed to happen to people. This is going to split my family up!
I am starting to sell anyway as I cannot see it getting better. Going commercial. Better .The best landlord days are behind us. Tenants can get away with murder. .5 years time … even worse
and it can get really worrying although I’m trying to stay positive.
I even ring agencies once a week to see if something new is coming up, some you have to fill out a form before viewing with all your details and thats all the landlord sees its like a CV.
I also be honest no point in hiding and pretending to be a carer in a care home they will only find out. I even offer to put a security deposit down and tell them I’m happy to even meet the LL prior. See maybe I’m to keen!
thank you. Shame you wasn’t in my area 
need all the luck I can get right now!
