UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello,

I'm just looking for some advise please.

I had a DRO after fleeing domestic abuse. Part of this was financial and it left me in a pickle so I was advised to get a DRO to clear the debts off, not what I wanted but I left everything behind and literally had my children, a case of clothes and was put in to a refuge by the police.

I've always worked and have been in employment since I left the refuge little over a year ago. I currently live in a flat and it's much to small so I've been on the hunt for a bigger rental. The housing market is crazy where I'm living and there is 60 plus people wanting appointments to view properties. The estate agents have screening questions before you even get to considered for a viewing.

Now I appreciate that a DRO doesn't look good as although it's now been discharged it obviously shows on my file and will do for another 4 years. I'm always honest about my circumstances and what led to it but I don't even get a no thank you email back. I have offered larger deposits, guarantors, I've references to say I've not missed a rent payment and I'm in secure employment but still nothing.

Can someone please tell me there's light at the end of the tunnel as we're all falling over ourselves here and need the space, plus as where I live is affordable housing it could be a home for someone whose in a pickle themselves. I honestly have just lost faith at the moment.

I have let property to people with CCJs before. I have also ran a mile. The difference in my reaction is all down to whether the prospective Tenant is honest with me, up front. My only useful advice it's to look for properties where there is no Agent interposing themselves between Tenant (you) and Landlord. This way you may get in front of someone who can eyeball you and assess you favourably... whereas Agents may just look for ticks in boxes. A Landlord letting a property may sometimes work on gut instinct (as well as the facts and figures from referencing etc.).

Even if you manage to get on the phone with a Landlord (the way it usually works with me is I list a property on uPad and enquiries come directly to me, I'd usually have a call with the person enquiring and figure out if we are even going to do a physical viewing) it gives you chance to advertise yourself (savings, references, no rent arrears, good reason for moving, secure income, flexibility (I mean how quick can you move - Landlords don't like their properties empty) etc.).

Thanks for that I appreciate it.

I'll try open rent and such like then hopefully I'll ha e some joy.