Making offers on rental properties

[dontfollowme]

I have suddenly found myself single so need to rent somewhere cheaper than my current flat. I am looking at flats around the £500pcm mark.

Is it the done thing to make an offer on the rent e.g. £450 instead of £500?

The agencies here in Birmingham are saying rental prices have increased in the last year. Can anyone in this area comment? I can see how tougher lending criteria on mortgages may have forced more people into rental property.

Thanks

Edited by dontfollowme on Thursday 8th October 23:11

[Wacky Racer]

Of course it is....What's the worst that can happen?...They say no.

There is a recession on you know, and thousands of empty properties/shops all over the country.

Sorry to hear of your predicament btw, hope you get sorted soon.

[northwest monkey]

Happens all the time mate - I'm a landlord & always consider offers. Make your case a good one though as you why your offer of lower rent should be accepted, e.g. good references, steady employment etc etc.

If you're going to be a good tenant & not likely to move on after 6 months then you should be laughing.

[anonymous-user]

Prices have come down as well as gone up in Brum.... realistically offer £475 otherwise you might be signed off as a time waster...

[Wings]

dontfollowme said:

I have suddenly found myself single so need to rent somewhere cheaper than my current flat. I am looking at flats around the £500pcm mark.

Is it the done thing to make an offer on the rent e.g. £450 instead of £500?

The agencies here in Birmingham are saying rental prices have increased in the last year. Can anyone in this area comment? I can see how tougher lending criteria on mortgages may have forced more people into rental property.Thanks

Edited by dontfollowme on Thursday 8th October 23:11

As a landlord I will not deal through agents, so if I were a potential tenant I would want to deal direct with the landlord.

Nothing wrong with seeking to come to some agreement on lowering the rent. My rents are slightly below the market price, but then most of my tenants have stayed past the period of their tenancy agreements.

My daughter has been writing a flat in the Warwick area for the last 14 months, her rent has stayed the same, with lots of additional flats. near to her flat coming on to the rental market.

[dontfollowme]

How would one get in touch with landlord directly? I was under the impression they used a letting agent to avoid dealing with tenants.

[bonsai]

dontfollowme said:

How would one get in touch with landlord directly? I was under the impression they used a letting agent to avoid dealing with tenants.

Well some do and some don't. More do use agencies than do not. You will need to check the classifieds and various websites to find Landlords who do it alone. Gumtree is quite good for this, local paper - that sort of thing.

[dontfollowme]

Offered 9.5% below advertised rent in the end. Didn't go any lower on the advice of the agent.

I should hear next week so fingers crossed.

[Pickled Piper]

northwest monkey said:

Happens all the time mate - I'm a landlord & always consider offers. Make your case a good one though as you why your offer of lower rent should be accepted, e.g. good references, steady employment etc etc.

If you're going to be a good tenant & not likely to move on after 6 months then you should be laughing.

What he said. If you've got something to offer, like squeaky clean references and a good job then you are in a good position to make an offer.

pp