How to get in for a viewing when you need to find a new property to rent.
The rental property market is busier than ever, with unprecedented numbers of viewing requests for every available property. How can you ensure you get in for a viewing during this busy time? Read this article for our top tips.
If you've been looking for a property to rent recently, you will undoubtedly have encountered this situation yourself. We are experiencing an unprecedented rental property market, with a considerable reduction of available properties.
Many landlords have sold up during the past few years because the property values have increased so dramatically, but sadly, this has had a knock-on effect on the private rental sector.
These increased property values have meant fewer landlords are looking to invest in properties, so those who sold up have invariably sold to owner-occupiers rather than other landlords. This, coupled with increased legislation and new tax regulations, has resulted in many landlords cashing out.
Unfortunately, without those properties selling to new landlords, there is a reduction in the number of properties within the private rented sector. Thus, there are fewer properties available to rent.
As a result, when a property does come onto the market, there is a bun fight between the tenants looking for a new home. Agents are inundated with viewing requests and have to stop accepting further viewing enquiries when the time slots for viewings are full.
Sadly, there can be only one tenant for each property, so what else can they do?
You may have already come across a property where viewing slots are filled; no further viewings are available even though a tenant has not yet been found. So, the first hurdle for prospective tenants is getting into the viewing slots before they fill up.
You've got to be in it to win it, and if you cannot even get into the viewing slots, you definitely won't be able to apply for that property. So, follow these simple tips to ensure you are in these all-important viewings.
- Get registered - Register your information with us so that you receive email alerts about new properties that come onto the market.
- Be quick - It might seem obvious, but this is like getting tickets to a Beyonce concert. You don't have time to hang about. You need to act fast as soon as you see the email alert about a new property coming onto the market.
- Pre-Qualify - Letting agents will have a qualification process as the initial part of a reference. Of course, you can't be referenced until you have a property to be referenced for, but you can be pre-qualified to be ready to go when the time comes.
The key lies in that pre-qualification. It shows the letting agent that you are serious, and they can see clearly whether you would be a good match for a property. It will be easier for them to tell a landlord about you as a potential tenant because they have evidence of your circumstances, putting you ahead of those applicants who are completely unknown to the agency.
If you are looking for a new rental property and would like to be informed of all new instructions or would like to complete a pre-qualification so that you are ready to go as soon as the right property becomes available, contact our lettings team today.