New to the Rent market - How do I get noticed?

sardines on 15/10/2021 - 09:03
Last edited 18/10/2021 - 09:19

Hi,

Im middle aged and never rented before - due to circumstances i need to rent till i/we sell a unit that i co-own.

I noticed when i put in applications for units im interested in i get no response.

I ran up one of the rel-estate agents and they said there is heavy demand for rental places and they said someone without a rental history goes way down the list.

In applications i state i am intending to sell property and buy new property in the area im renting— i thought commission dollar signs would real them in, but no bites.

I suppose if i keep viewing places my name will become known but working on a tight scheduled

I have people willing to go guarantor in case i default in rent

Any tips to get noticed?

Edit - thank you for all your suggestions. I talked to a few realestate agents during viewings - some said current property isnt a concern while other said they are quite interested being involved in selling it for me. Also said as long as you look presentable and have a guarantor (if needed) you go higher on the list - along with a good reference at work. Some said that they will put a good word in with the landlord if i consider them as part of selling current property. lastly to always say your interested at least 12 months

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Comments

  • avoidfullprice on 15/10/2021 - 09:10
    +3

    In applications i state i am intending to sell property and buy new property in the area im renting— i thought commission dollar signs would real them in, but no bites.

    That has no bearings, one is everyone can intend to do something and not follow through, second is sales and rentals are two departments so it doesn't matter.

    It is a tough market in rental. You might have to put higher than listed rent on your application (if it's legal in your state to do so) to get noticed.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 15/10/2021 - 09:12
    +4

    A good reference letter goes a long way with history of long term stable tenancy.

    • jellykingdom on 15/10/2021 - 09:39

      I ended up having to essentially get a semi-reference letter.

      Same with OP, we started renting nearer to work after having owned our previous 2 places for maybe 8yrs total. Makes it hard to then prove that you're a decent tenant! I ended up also including pics of my houses (the real estate listings) to show that we took pride in our places, and had a friend write me a reference (he is a doctor so that looked good on the letter!) as to the quality of how we keep our house.

  • Switchblade88 on 15/10/2021 - 09:25
    +7

    Welcome to the experience of those of us who can't afford housing.

  • TEER3X on 15/10/2021 - 09:28
    +5

    Offer to pay 3 months in advance, write a cover letter outlining your positives, keep applying

  • slow on 15/10/2021 - 09:35
    +4

    I had a similar experience when I was renovating my place and needed to rent for 6-12 months, with no rental history.
    The other thing is the fact that you are looking to buy counts against you as well as they know you will probably not stay long, so I found best not to mention that I only needed something temporarily.
    I also offered to provide references, proof of financial status and to pay several months rent upfront

  • holdenmg on 15/10/2021 - 09:35
    +7

    Hi, Ask the Real Estate Agent you are selling through to introduce you to their Rental Manager.

    • weezlebub on 15/10/2021 - 10:55
      +5

      this is the best advice, if it's not too late, before you sign a contract with an agent, go in and talk to a few, say that you're looking to sell, but need a rental and if they can make that whole process easier for you, you'd love to use them - first in, best dressed

  • lubos on 15/10/2021 - 09:35
    +12

    Do not say you are planning to exit rental market. Agents and landlords prefer long-term tenants. For sure, you need to explain lack of rental history.

    • freefall101 on 15/10/2021 - 09:52
      +3

      Every year my landlord tries to up the rent $10 a week, every year I say I won't sign a 12 month lease if they do so, every year they cave.

      3 years now, I'm a good tenant and I'm paying under market rates. One of these days they'll finally decide it's worth calling my bluff but the hassle of finding new tenants plus the risk of a week or two of no rental income means it's not worth it for them.

      • JimB on 15/10/2021 - 11:47
        +1

        As a landlord, $10 or $20 a week under current market rates won't bother me if it was a long term tenant.. @ $30 a week under and the tenant refused to accept a $10 rent increase, yeah, I'd probably ask the agent to look for a new tenant with the full $30 week increase.

        Before you call their bluff, check out what the current rental market is like. You don't want to be caught out over $10 a week.

        FYI, unless the tenants request a 12 month renewal, I just go month by month after the initial 12 month lease. Doesn't bother me either way. If they stay, good, if not, I'd get a higher rent if they leave.

  • 87percent on 15/10/2021 - 09:52

    i would proactively contact property managers in the area, introducing yourself, and say you're in the market for a rental. Tell them that you're willing to pay x months in advance

  • nedrum on 15/10/2021 - 09:53
    +1

    I've had agents tell me they assess on a "first in, best dressed" approach, so I don't think there is a fixed way of assessing for tenants. Most agents will have a rental forms on their website, so it might be a good idea if a place looks great in pictures to prefill the form and introduce yourself to the agent at the showing while handing over the form. Showing how much you love the property and seeming clean and presentable makes the REA think 'This person looks like a good, low maintenance tenant! Less work for me!'

    I think @terr3x's note on offering to pay 3mths up front is a really good one as well as I've had luck doing similar in the past.

    I also agree with @slow that you should stop noting your intent to purchase in 6-12mths. The REA's client is the landlord, not the tenant and if I was a landlord, I'd be rejecting your application based on that alone. Mortgage payments don't stop when a tenant moves and if rental stability is important to the landlord then it would be a immediate 'no'.

    Also, I'm not sure where you are, but demand differs between suburbs and no REA is going to tell you the market is slow. A friend of mine just moved into a nice neighbourhood (Ivanhoe in Melbourne) within two weeks of looking and with an offer below the advertised rate. He said it was a 'renters market' at the moment, but I guess that depends on where you are looking.

    Good luck!

  • Ryanek on 15/10/2021 - 10:00

    Which area in Sydney are you looking at?

  • mini2 on 15/10/2021 - 10:15

    Basically, offer a sweeter deal than the competition:
    - Pay more than the other punters (REA can't suggest that I believe)
    - Offer to pre-pay 6/12 months in advance

    • lubos on 15/10/2021 - 10:20

      Offering to pay in advance can look desperate and dodgy. You are probably not going to pull that off for desirable property which has no shortage of quality tenants.

      I think showing good financial position (e.g. having sufficent savings) should be enough without appearing desperate.

  • dizzle on 15/10/2021 - 10:22

    In applications i state i am intending to sell property and buy new property in the area im renting

    That could work against you if they think you are just a short term renter. Are you looking talking about 6 month contracts? Unless they can't get anyone else, most are looking for 12 month leases

    I have people willing to go guarantor in case i default in rent

    Is that something they are asking for? If you're volunteering that information without asking, then it sounds like you're a risk for them. If they are asking for it, then maybe your job isn't paying enough, or they don't think it's secure.

  • bitesized on 15/10/2021 - 10:25
    +1

    Try to apply for the rental property asap - so if you like a property viewing on Sat morn, try to get the app in by Sat arvo. Usually real estate agents go with the first app with a decent rental price.

  • kawinuyo on 15/10/2021 - 10:30

    When I got my first rental place (there were lots of interest on the day we looked), we prefilled the application ready to hand in if we liked the place, we also offered upfront 6 months and $10 more than the advertisement (at the time the property was super cheap compared to others nearby), also got a reference from my boss about my character.

  • iampoor on 15/10/2021 - 10:33

    One member of my team at work faced a very similar issue - middle aged and no rental history.

    She ended up having to choose a nicer place at a higher rent (less competition), applied at the viewing and as her manager I provided her a reference once the real estate agent called.

    She got the place but this was after the frustration of probably 4-5 applications where she was just ghosted.

  • andy19363 on 15/10/2021 - 10:41

    Airbnb/direct booking holiday rentals?….. might be able to negotiate a discount for longer stay

  • pharkurnell on 15/10/2021 - 11:06

    I ran up one of the rel-estate agents and they said there is heavy demand for rental places and they said someone without a rental history goes way down the list.

    This is news to you?? Honestly? Its been in the news for last 5 years.

  • brendanm on 15/10/2021 - 11:32

    In applications i state i am intending to sell property and buy new property in the area im renting

    Don't do this. They would prefer long term tenants.

  • muzzamo on 15/10/2021 - 11:53

    In this market I think a lot of people would get to the point where they would get a mate to falsify a private rental reference.

    This would be fraud of course but a lot of people are doing it.

  • GerrardsSlip on 15/10/2021 - 13:04
    +1

    My tenant is also an middle aged with no rental history, owns his property somewhere else.
    He has proven that he has enough income to pay rent (4k+ each paycheck), he has a decent job with a decent employer.
    REA only cares about your regular income and your savings in the bank, they don't really care about your asset other than cash.
    How long will your property be up for sale in the market? it could be 2 weeks, it could be 6 months. How would you pay your rent till your property gets sold if you don't have enough running income?
    Also don't worry about offering 3,6 months upfront, it just makes you look dodgy. You only need to prove that you have enough income to cover rents and enough cash in the bank in case of emergency. Good luck.

  • screensaver on 15/10/2021 - 14:10
    +1

    You are telling them that you are likely to be a short term tenant, Try a serviced apartment or air bnb etc. Do you need to take all your furniture?

  • Fever4shakin on 15/10/2021 - 15:35

    Try looking for privately listed rentals on fb or gumtree. Obviously inspect the place first and make sure any paperwork is lodged with the correct authorities. Alternatively you could look for people advertising for someone to take over the lease if they're breaking their contract early.

    I've watched people go to endless REA inspections and not get a look in, but find relatively fast success with landlords renting directly.

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