Kyoto Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) We are just looking for a new flat to rent as we are stuck in the city center for the next few years. We found one we liked and were ready to sign up until we got this shopping list of requirements. Is this the most paranoid landlord in the UK? Works reference A character reference Reference from previous landlord re rent payment and state of flat Bank statement Proof that previous bills were paid on time Guarantor earning over 30k a year OR Credit checking fee Six weeks bond One year contract It would be a cold day in hell before I jump through these hoops in some subservient attempt to prove myself as worthy of the privelledge of paying him to live in his new build boxy flat, especially when there are 8 in the same building listed on Rightmove. Has anyone seen a more paranoid landlord? Edited July 28, 2009 by Kyoto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeryMeanReversion Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 We are just looking for a new flat to rent as we are stuck in the city center for the next few years. We found one we liked and were ready to sign up until we got this shopping list of requirements. Is this the most paranoid landlord in the UK? Works reference A character reference Reference from previous landlord re rent payment and state of flat Bank statement Proof that previous bills were paid on time Guarantor earning over 30k a year OR Credit checking fee Six weeks bond One year contract It would be a cold day in hell before I jump through these hoops in some subservient attempt to prove myself as worthy of the privelledge of paying him to live in his new build boxy flat, especially when there are 8 in the same building listed on Rightmove. Has anyone seen a more paranoid landlord? If I was a landlord, that's whay I would ask for. It's easy for a tenant to stop paying then stay for free for 6-9 months. I've just been through this as executor for an estate of a BTL owner. VMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Gnome Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Tell the agent you will be happy to oblige once you have examined his bank statements for the previous year to reasure yourself of his solvency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyoto Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 If I was a landlord, that's whay I would ask for. It's easy for a tenant to stop paying then stay for free for 6-9 months. I've just been through this as executor for an estate of a BTL owner.VMR. The majority of tenants are taking up a service in a competitive buyers market, and choosing one particular landlord over others. Why should we have to share details such as bank statements to prove we are worthy of purchasing a service when the more typical, ID deposit, and contract already secures the landlord? It seems to me they want it both ways. Top rental rates and no risk whatsoever in return. I'm sorry, but in the flooded leeds city centre rental market, this guy doesn't have the luxury of making a good tenant such as myself jump through so many hoops. This is all a horrible symptom of the subservient landlord / tenant relationship. Tenants need to man-up and start treating BTLs as they are - for the most part commodity service providers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaredEitherWay Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Works referenceA character reference Reference from previous landlord re rent payment and state of flat Bank statement Proof that previous bills were paid on time Guarantor earning over 30k a year OR Credit checking fee Six weeks bond One year contract These are pretty standard - and to be honest I couldn't come up with that lot. My main problem would be a guarantor.... I simply don't know anybody that would meet the criteria or would be prepared to sign as a guarantor (not for me, just the whole concept of a guarantor is quite a major undertaking) I don't have a job I could get a character reference (depending on how long they had to know me that could take up to a month) Ref from previous landlord is OK now I have just been renting my first place, but before that I'd have had nothing Bank statement - they can feck right off seeing what I spend/how much I have going in/out. Bills proof, would have been tricky when I moved in here as I'd sold my house, shredded all that sh1t and moved into a hotel Guarantor - no chance at that high salary. 6 weeks - normal, so no problem there One year contract - nope, it might turn out to be a crap flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symo Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I thought the max you could ask for is 4 weeks deposit/bond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sceptacled Bear Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) I think a lot of this is a fundamental reflection of the ridiculous Short-hold lease situation. Landlords behave like they're doing you a favour letting them live in their dump, when in reality they should be providing you a service for payment and need to behave more like it. edit - spell like an idiot. Edited July 28, 2009 by Sceptacled Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 If I was a landlord, that's whay I would ask for. It's easy for a tenant to stop paying then stay for free for 6-9 months. I've just been through this as executor for an estate of a BTL owner. VMR. The modern solution. Create red tape to give yourself the illusion of security. I would be tempted to withhold rent from you just to teach you some manners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 We are just looking for a new flat to rent as we are stuck in the city center for the next few years. We found one we liked and were ready to sign up until we got this shopping list of requirements. Is this the most paranoid landlord in the UK? Works reference A character reference Reference from previous landlord re rent payment and state of flat Bank statement Proof that previous bills were paid on time Guarantor earning over 30k a year OR Credit checking fee Six weeks bond One year contract It would be a cold day in hell before I jump through these hoops in some subservient attempt to prove myself as worthy of the privelledge of paying him to live in his new build boxy flat, especially when there are 8 in the same building listed on Rightmove. Has anyone seen a more paranoid landlord? My guess will be he won't be renting too many properties, as there are always landlords around that don't ask for all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needle Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) Paranoid Landlord Great game. Commodore 64, wasnt it? Edited July 28, 2009 by needle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest X-QUORK Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Paranoid and void. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si1 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 oh dearey me. another fantasist wannabe property magnate with an inflated ego landlord: 'be servile tenant' prospective reasonable tenant:'f*ck off tw*t' landlord:'oh...' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moo Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 It strikes me as a perfectly reasonable list as long as he makes similar disclosures to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest X-QUORK Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) My requirements: Works referenceA character reference Reference from previous landlord re rent payment and state of flat Bank statement Proof that previous bills were paid on time Guarantor earning over 30k a year OR Credit checking fee Six weeks bond One year contract 1lb of flesh Cap for doffing to landlord Clean underpants Edited July 28, 2009 by X-QUORK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverland Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 If I was a landlord, that's whay I would ask for. It's easy for a tenant to stop paying then stay for free for 6-9 months. I've just been through this as executor for an estate of a BTL owner.VMR. +1 Don't understand what the issue is? If I was a landlord, its pretty close to what I'd ask for. Could be a lot of hassle if the tenant didnt pay If you dont like the list fine, find another flat to let As a landlord, I'd have been glad to avoid you as a stroppy tenant (But I suspect this is why I never wanted to get into BTL, its a lot of grief potentially (sp?)) I suspect most of the people griping on this thread can also be found griping about: - British women being too fat - house prices being too expensive - foreigners, generally - women, generally - politicians, generally - etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverland Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 The majority of tenants are taking up a service in a competitive buyers market, and choosing one particular landlord over others. Why should we have to share details such as bank statements to prove we are worthy of purchasing a service when the more typical, ID deposit, and contract already secures the landlord?It seems to me they want it both ways. Top rental rates and no risk whatsoever in return. I'm sorry, but in the flooded leeds city centre rental market, this guy doesn't have the luxury of making a good tenant such as myself jump through so many hoops. This is all a horrible symptom of the subservient landlord / tenant relationship. Tenants need to man-up and start treating BTLs as they are - for the most part commodity service providers. Given the risks surrounding a bad tenant, you can hardly blame him actually He's making an economic decision to suffer a longer void/lower rent to make sure he avoids the potential high loss from a bad/stroppy tenant - its his choice and probably a sensible one If flats in Leeds are a commodity, good for you, find a flat that meets all your conditions, including the tenancy checks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinker Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Let`s face it, tenants are scum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacGuffin Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 ALL of those requirements (except, maybe, the guarantor) can be faked, you know. I'm just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverland Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 ALL of those requirements (except, maybe, the guarantor) can be faked, you know. I'm just saying. probably why he's asking for a guarantor? Maybe he's been tricked in the past... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si1 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 +1Don't understand what the issue is? If I was a landlord, its pretty close to what I'd ask for. Could be a lot of hassle if the tenant didnt pay If you dont like the list fine, find another flat to let As a landlord, I'd have been glad to avoid you as a stroppy tenant (But I suspect this is why I never wanted to get into BTL, its a lot of grief potentially (sp?)) I suspect most of the people griping on this thread can also be found griping about: - British women being too fat - house prices being too expensive - foreigners, generally - women, generally - politicians, generally - etc. I suspect the motivation behnd this thread is more about frustration than anything else. the landlord, by digging his heals in, is prompting a lose-lose scenario. there is a serious oversupply of flats in Leeds and LL may well end up with DHSS tenants instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Allegro Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 He appears to have missed out a blood test to prove you have not smoked tobacco in the last five years. A skin swab test to prove you have not been near domestic pets might also be useful. After all, the cream sofa from DFS must be protected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neverland Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I suspect the motivation behnd this thread is more about frustration than anything else.the landlord, by digging his heals in, is prompting a lose-lose scenario. there is a serious oversupply of flats in Leeds and LL may well end up with DHSS tenants instead. Well I think he's weighing up a likely small loss (a longer void or a lower rent) against a potential big loss (a tenant who moves in, changes the locks, doesnt pay the rent and just waits to get evicted) I can well imagine there is a serious oversupply of flats in Leeds, so he's probably facing a long void Them's the breaks if you want to go into a risky business like renting out properties It just mystifies me why people think it was ever an easy way to make money..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si1 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I recommend in Leeds from very good experience - Manning Stainton Lettings - however they have v little in city centre Spencers are good too, but very studenty, again from experience just professional little-b*llsh*t agencies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si1 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Well I think he's weighing up a likely small loss (a longer void or a lower rent) against a potential big loss (a tenant who moves in, changes the locks, doesnt pay the rent and just waits to get evicted)I can well imagine there is a serious oversupply of flats in Leeds, so he's probably facing a long void Them's the breaks if you want to go into a risky business like renting out properties It just mystifies me why people think it was ever an easy way to make money..... I concur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xux42 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Let`s face it, tenants are scum. Almost. Scum are tenants generally speaking, cos scum aint too clever at getting secure jobs, deposits and meeting regular payments. Does not follow that tenants are scum. TBH My only knowledge of rental is of nice middle income people letting to other nice middle income people, usually without fuss for longish periods. For example friends are renting their lovely large house to Germans who look after their garden and chickens. All a world apart from the low end segment which sounds absolutley dreadful from the threads I see on here, with villains on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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