Why are landlords so slow at getting back to you on OpenRent? I have requested a viewing on 2 seperate properties on Friday and I’m still waiting for a response…..
In the same way that you will be looking at multiple properties, landlords will be interviewing multiple tenants. They probably have their hands full at the moment working through the ones they have already met.
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If you’re narked at this point that they aren’t responding fast enough to you, then perhaps these aren’t the right landlords for you. Cast your net wider to find ones who respond immediately. There must be landlords out there who have properties no one else is interested in.
Good landlords with good properties get inundated with requests from the minute their listings go live and tend to work through the valid ones as they receive them. If you’re a strong applicant, they’ll be in touch. If you’re average, you can expect to be somewhat down the pecking order and might not even get a response. That’s just the way things work.
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Yep same here. No help or answers from anyone. Poor service.
I have the same from tenants who want a place ,you ask them a question , no answer . Poor service.
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We are in the same boat- Several properties I’ve sent messages about to landlords, I’ve filled in their autogenerated “required” list…. yet crickets silence for days now. Having said that, I’ve gotten the same thing from property management companies too. I’ve messaged probably a dozen agencies about various properties in the past week and received only a single response back. I’ve lived all over the world- literally 5 continents, 9 countries- and I’ve NEVER experienced this before when looking for a property to rent until now. I’m quite surprised by this.
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You need to google “renters reform bill”. Anyone who isn’t 100% perfect is going to face a tough time.
You’d think though, from a landlord’s perspective, they’d want someone in soonest and therefore crack on. This days and weeks going by while your current landlord is waiting for you to decide to stay or go so they can sort out their property…and no one moves forward. Renters are caught in a catch 22. And sure as eggs is eggs, the minute you give up, commit to staying put, the landlord comes forward…when would you like to see the property?
Absolutely cannot win
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Would liked to have seen deleted post
No clue why it was deleted. It’s there, it’s not offensive and it just kind of sums up the frustration sometimes.
oh gosh no… not at all. I want the right person in and I’m prepared to wait months for the right applicant to come along. Rather have 6 months’ void than have 18 months of hassle with a nightmare tenant.
With the RRA, all other LLs are thinking the same. Way too much risk to rush.
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correct i have waited to get less hassle
1. When did you request the viewings - your profile says you created it only 10h ago. That’s not long to wait for busy people you hope to purchase something from. If you are that impatient phone up any lettings agent advertising on rightmove or book something via airbnb
- How long have the properties been advertised
- Many LLs aren’t full time LLs and have other jobs - why not give them some alternative times and dates don’t assume they can do Fridays
- Maybe they already have an offer or two from people who viewed at the weekend and are investigating those so that is their priority and they don’t want to waste your or their time booking in a viewing they end up cancelling
- Between 9 and 12 people looking per rental so in popular areas could easily be over 20. RRA means lots of LLs selling up and issuing s21s before the 1 may deadline will have added to the pressures with all their tenants looking too but fewer places available..
- Fwiw my experience of estate agents (and letting agents are often part of estate agents) even when buying a house which is a big purchase.. is they never ever call back prospective buyers- and those who have email or online booking systems like some of the big chains.. in practice don’t use them. You have to call and speak to someone. That’s their culture….they have enough customers they don’t need waste their time chasing you. LLs on OR are the same - we aren’t here to chat to every prospective tenant.
Good luck
said requested last Friday. Correct about agents never ringing back . I always went to the office., and I mean about selling my property.
Actually said requested a viewing on Friday which could mean last week made request or that has requested a viewing for Friday this week. We don’t know.
#pedantsrule
I’ve always been of the view that its polite to reply to all enquiries, but I am becoming so concerned about tripping myself up under the new regulations for discrimination, that im starting to think Im better not to reply at all to those applicants Im not moving forward with, to avoid having to explain why, in case I say something that could be misconstrued as discrimination.
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wouldn’t it be ironic if Danielle didn’t respond to this thread 
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Wow. How rude are people on here?! When no one knows anyone’s situation. I’ve actually fled with my 3 young children as we are all victims of DV. I was in that situation for 13 years so my apologies if I’m frustrated with landlords not getting back to me. Obviously I need a house quickly.
… which means you don’t know the situation of any LL you’re applying to.
FWIW, I’ve rented multiple properties for nearly 30 years and I’ve had lots and lots of applicants who say they need a property ASAP because they are fleeing DV. In that time, I’ve also supported two close friends who have fled DV and are now happily divorced. Well… as happily as they can be while living with trauma. As a result, when I ask an applicant the standard question, “Why are you looking to move?” and they say they are fleeing a DV situation, I know from experience that it immediately makes the situation much more complex than a typical rental. There’s an urgency, emotional upheaval, the risk of the abusive partner turning up and causing difficulty, the applicant needing more support, etc. particularly if they’ve suffered for a decade or more as in your case.
Have you considered how you might help reassure LLs you are applying to that you will be a suitable tenant for their property?
One example that springs to mind is that both my friends had professional support at the time they left their partners. Getting a character reference from any professionals who might be working with you at the moment would be really helpful.
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The new rules are about rental discrimination for those on benefits (tho things like ‘no dss’ signs in ads has actually been illegal for many years or children/those with children)
Google ‘Rental discrimination under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025’
Think it would be polite enough and safe enough to auto reply with
‘Thank you for your enquiry which I will deal with as soon as possible. Please be patient as I get many enquiries so it may take some time. If you don’t hear back from me within a week please don’t chase up and good luck with your search.’
And in due course if choosing to reply to unsuccessful potential tenants
‘ Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately in this case I will not be following up further with you. No further correspondence will be entered into. Good luck with your search’