Hi everyone,

I am hoping to rent a working flat in London, but I won't be living in it. With that in mind, how do rental references work? Won't they find it strange that I'm already living somewhere (and not planning to move), and won't the company I currently rent from find it odd that I'm renting another flat at the same time?

I'm trying to understand how that will work, so grateful to know how you all managed it!

I simply say that they can't get reference from previous landlord because it's a housing association I don't want to hand back because son lives there.

It's difficult aswell to get personal references as not many people know what I do.

Can ask the accountant for a personal reference if you don't do your own accounts I suppose. Employer reference may work as they don't know your living status...I wonder if these letting agents actually check? You can pay 6 months upfront to avoid all that I suppose. Then  running the risk of being booted out & losing money, but insured on the credit card if paid that way hopefully.

That's interesting! Can you pay advance rent and deposit with a credit card?

Don't see why not if its an agency and they have card facilities.

If getting references from friends, ensure you don't give out addresses cos the Landlords Registry can be looked up and you could be sussed out.

My accountant said they'd be happy to provide property references if necessary.

Kate, there is always the downside for him having his name on lease. He could, if it ever arose, be the one to get into probs with police.

Quote from: kate_x on 07 October 2015, 01:37:59 pm

As Curvygal said going through letting agents is NOT easy. I have been through this several times throughout the past 4 years and I've needed a guarantor each time. Luckily (in one way) as I use the same place to live and work from I've been able to have a relative act as one.

I do have a bad credit history but even without this as soon as you say you're self-employed if you don't have an Accountant with several years worth of accounts drawn up they will say you need a guarantor. Private landlords can be easier but even those nowadays often ask for credit searches, employment references etc....

I have recently been considering renting a place solely to work in so had the same dilemma. Particularly as ideally the place would be in the same town as I live now. My one friend/ex who knows what I do said he wouldn't mind helping me and could apply for it in his name (he has regular income, employer reference he can provide as well as a good credit history) then I would obviously pay the rent to him, but then would get into the realms of sub-letting so overall it's a tough one!

I think if you can't provide a previous landlords reference then they will ask for 1 or 2 character references. Not everyone has rented before!

Can you not get around the guarantor thing if you offer to pay several months in advance then? I just assumed you'd be able to. Haven't rented privately for over 15 years. I've started looking at flats but letting agents want over 300 in set up fees, it's a joke. then they look you up & down to ask your situation. Nosey feckers, it's all very invasive & stressful.

Yeh tell me about it!

You can always offer 6 months upfront but somewhat surprisingly they don't all like that!

I actually found the perfect private rental once, he still did a credit check though so I warned him that it wasn't brilliant etc... and also explained I'm self employed but when it came back they were a bit dithery so I thought to secure it I would offer 6 months in advance and they said no to that and also no to a guarantor! You would think most people would be glad of that amount of cash in their pocket! They basically wasted my (& their) time as I fully explained my situation to them before I even viewed the flat. If they werent going to be happy with that they should've said then! Btw I have an alternative profession for my self-employment if anyone asks!

That said one time in the past I was lucky with one particular landlord who did accept 6 months in advance. After that 6 months was up he then let me pay monthly.

Unfortunately these landlords, whether private or through an agency (where basically landlord has the final say anyway) can afford to be picky. There are more renters than properties so they don't mind turning someone down as they know there isn't a shortage of more suitable (in their eyes), or rather more straightforward people with regular jobs, good credit history etc...

It's just a matter of whether you get lucky or not, but always be upfront about your situation and yes they are nosy but give them everything they want because as I said before there will soon be someone else who comes along and they know that!

Got my OH to do it for me.
Private let.
Landlord checked and double checked everything
Credit score, phoned his work, personal reference, bank statements.
I wouldn't pass through a letting agent. They always require a guarantor or want months up front