[jessie123]

I have only rented once for about a year over 10 years ago.

I am selling and need to find somewhere to live. What will I need to rent. As in do I need references etc ? Will they want pay slips? What should I get organised so I can start applying. How long out should I apply need to be out of here in 6 weeks.

[epl0822]

We were in a similar position of being first time renters after owning our own property. The agent was not fussed about us not having rental references - they must have come across dozens of people like us and it wasn't a big deal. But we did provide work references to verify employment (whom he called) and personal references as well (not called).

I gave them all the documents to prove we were able to pay rent - pay slips, term investment statement, savings account statement, document to show we sold our home, etc. I had original copies and photocopies on the day we applied and just submitted the whole lot along with our application. I'm not sure where you live but we were looking at very competitive areas (one place had about a hundred people queueing up to view the property) so we started looking about 4-6 weeks in advance. My conveyancing solicitor said she had a lot of clients who weren't able to get rental property in time so we were lucky that we did.

[DK3000]

I was just in the same situation a few weeks ago!

It's not too hard I found, you'll need 100 points of ID, plus a few recent Payslips, Bank statement, and a letter from your employer to prove employment.

They also asked for rental references, but were happy to take rates notice and water bill in lieu, as proof we had been owners prior.

I also added some additional bills, and bank statements for other accounts, just to show that money coming in was plenty to cover the rent.

Also emphasise the point you have been a "homeowner", it can make the landlord feel like you will treat their property better.... (not necessarily true in all cases, but they think this all the same!)

Good luck!

ETA: We didn't need to provide any references, only the letter from employer, I'm not sure if other Agent's would require more

This post has been edited by DK3000: 14/02/2013, 02:08 PM

[jessie123]

Really they want pay slips / bank statements. Feels like a lot of hoop jumping.

Just been looking at the rental applications none have indicated wanting financial details. But I need 3 referees it seems.

I am not worried about finding something as there is lots of places around but feels like it was less work to get a mortgage. Left it a bit late now though to buy something

[Flaxen]

We found a rental quite easily after we sold and with two large dogs too.

I think 6 weeks is fine but it depends what the rental market is like where you are.

I was incredibly stressed about finding a house in time, so I went in to see the managing agents personally to give them a face to the name and have a chat how best to apply for one of their homes. I sort of treated it like a job interview, I think they liked that. I also gave them a brochure of the house we sold with the photos on it so they could see it was well kept.
We got the house i really wanted, andhaving the dogs was no problem, even though they initially said no.

This post has been edited by Flaxen: 14/02/2013, 04:41 PM

[jessie123]

I dont think I will have an issue getting the place just need to get my referees in order. Which seems to be the only thing I need to do it seems by the application forms.

What I really meant I guess is when should I apply to avoid too much overlap between settlement on my house and renting a new place. A lot say available now but I don't want to pay for 2 places for longer than necessary. If I apply with about 3 weeks out is that plenty of time presuming I get accepted.

[aratiaw]

There should be a space on the form for you to write your preferred start date, so no harm in applying now.

[jessie123]

There should be a space on the form for you to write your preferred start date, so no harm in applying now.

Surely they are not going to hold onto a house for me for 6 weeks though?

[purpleblackqueen]

I am studying Real Estate, so I can tell you that YES you do need to provide pay slips, this way Agents and Landlords are sure you can afford to pay the rent, it doesn't matter that you have sold a house etc etc.

[Overtherainbow]

The agent who sold our home spoke to the rental agent to support us on caring for our home and our dog.

We also had a relocation consultant helping through h's work which may have helped.

We got the first home we applied for despite a large number applying.