Private Landlords

[t84]

Is it more risky renting from a private landlord then from a lettings agency? Can anyone recommend any websites that list them?

Getting a bit fed up over being bent over a barrel by LA fees!

Thanks.

[NDA]

t84 said:

Is it more risky renting from a private landlord then from a lettings agency? Can anyone recommend any websites that list them?

Getting a bit fed up over being bent over a barrel by LA fees!

Thanks.

Does a tenant pay fees to a letting agency?

I have a couple of rental properties and the fees (10% of the annual rent) are paid by me.

You are likely to end up with a proper tenancy contract through an agency which should give you greater protection.

[Reload]

NDA said:

Does a tenant pay fees to a letting agency?

I don't think so, but letting agents tend to charge extortionate fees for credit checks and admin e.g. contract renewal. These charges are payable by the tenant.

[NDA]

Reload said:

NDA said:

Does a tenant pay fees to a letting agency?

I don't think so, but letting agents tend to charge extortionate fees for credit checks and admin e.g. contract renewal. These charges are payable by the tenant.

Ah. Didn't realise that.

[t84]

Yep, stung for £250 for a credit check for 2 people, unfortunately the apartment is really nice.

[NDA]

t84 said:

the apartment is really nice.

That's probably the nub of it.... really nice apartments are going to be mostly through an agency.

[t84]

We were thinking of putting one name down on the tenancy instead, that might work?

Don't know if the LA would go for it though.

[Reload]

t84 said:

We were thinking of putting one name down on the tenancy instead, that might work?

Don't know if the LA would go for it though.

I think you'll find that you'll need the tenancy in both names if you're both over a certain age (16, 18, not sure). You could put down that only one person is paying the rent, in which case they will probably only run one credit check, but then obviously your check would then be based on you being able to afford the full rent amount.

[NDA]

t84 said:

We were thinking of putting one name down on the tenancy instead, that might work?

Don't know if the LA would go for it though.

I guess if it was only your name on the tenancy agreement and that the credit check on you would support you paying the entire rent, then why wouldn't it work?

[MarkwG]

NDA said:

t84 said:

We were thinking of putting one name down on the tenancy instead, that might work?

Don't know if the LA would go for it though.

I guess if it was only your name on the tenancy agreement and that the credit check on you would support you paying the entire rent, then why wouldn't it work?

: it depends on the agent & the landlord, as it can cause issues in respect of liability for rent in the event of defaulting & insurance in case of damage - for me, you're on the tenancy agreement or you don't live there, unless you're the child of someone on the agreement & under 16.

[Reload]

NDA said:

I guess if it was only your name on the tenancy agreement and that the credit check on you would support you paying the entire rent, then why wouldn't it work?

I was under the impression that all adults in a property had to be listed on the tenancy agreement. The payment agreement is a different document, which can list just one person paying the full rental amount and hence only one credit check would be run (as I mentioned above).

I may be wrong though.

I think with regards to the OP and private landlords, it's a variable. You could have a really decent person who relishes good tenants and works with you. Or you could have an absolute arse.

[scirocco265]

Everything comes with these sort of risks, particularly with more and more 'independent' LAs appearing (not that they're all bad!). Check out the Private Landlord so that you feel comfortable (why not ask for references for other tenants as the Landlord would ask for you), get everything in writing on a 'proper' contract...

[Wings]

t84 said:

We were thinking of putting one name down on the tenancy instead, that might work?

Don't know if the LA would go for it though.

As a landlord myself, I would never deal with a letting agent, and if I ever happened to be a potential tenant, I would again not deal with an agent, but direct with the landlord.

I impose no charges on any potential tenant for both credit and references checks, no renewal of tenancy agreements, no charges for carpet cleaning or decorating at the end of the tenancy.

There is nothing wrong with just having one named person on a Tenancy Agreement, although that person must fully understand they are solely responsible for the rental payments/arrears and any possible damage etc. etc.

[ben10]

I think the letting agencies are more for the safety of payment to the landlord and you yourself should be no worse off by avoiding letting agents.

Actually, thinking about it, you dont want some "rouge" landlord being a nob end at the end of the tennancy and keeping the bond for supposed "carpet cleaning" etc...

I reckon you have a relatively small chance of ending up losing money through the bond being kept by a rouge landlord and probably going to be less than what the LA would charge you.

Hope that makes sense - It was a bit pieced together