Who understands renting property nonsense?

[dellowwarren]

Hi guys

Just been wondering as my self and the Mrs have had just about enough with sharing with my sister and her boyfriend (so dam lazy and dirty), we have a 1 year no breaking lease so our contract is coming to a end at the end of April this year but am I able to tell the property agents I want to not pay the rent for 3 months and they can keep my deposit as they requested 3 months deposit when we moved in

Other question I have is my self and the Mrs are from South Africa and i have been here almost 2 years and she has only been here 4 months (DO NOT DO LONG DISTANCE, it was the hardest thing ever) will we be able to get a place only being here so long but we both can afford it just wanting to know will they let us or trust us knowing everyone thinks you cant trust a south african but im from pretoria the safe place ;):gnorsi:

[trillian]

Regarding the deposit, generally you will have to pay rent as usual and on the date agreed up to the end of the lease unless the lease is specifically emended to say that you can use your deposit for rent. So the answer to that would be no, unless you have an agreement with the landlord about it.

On the issue of being accepted, it's up to the letting agents as to how they screen prospective tenents (technically they are supposed to decide based on financial status). If the rent has always been paid on time on your present lease that should help (another reason to stay on good terms with the current landlord).

[gazmk2]

Our agency use a vetting process to determine the suitability of tennants. As siad above it tends to go on financial status and kepping up with previous rent etc rather than nationality. We currently rent our house out to a polish couple who at the time had only been in the uk for a year or so. But becuase they had a good rep with the previous landlord our agency asked us if we would accept them. I am glad we said yes as they are the best tennants ever! They have been our tennants for nearly 2 years now and I can't fault them at all.

[Mark_T]

You will not usually get a landlord to agree to substitute the deposit for the last 3 months rent as the deposit is there to be used in the event that they find damage to the property when you vacate, so they will not want to run down the deposit before you leave.

On the other-hand, you will have right to get the deposit back soon after you leave, but obviously not in time to avoid needing a deposit for your next place.

They will have certain rights to draw against the deposit for unpaid rent but you don't want to do that if you intend to stay in the rental sector

[nitromad]

the deposit should be in a "locked" state untill end of agreement as in pass alot of landlords spent the deposits and didnt have it come end of agreement. also most renters these days wants refs and last 3 months non paid rent would more or less make it impossable to get new place. also bear in mind the agreement is a legal contact so you are also breaking law by failing to pay and landlords can take legal actions agaist you. private/agency renting secter is the worse place to be unregulatied and if u get a bad landlord the law all to protect them not you.

[dellowwarren]

Who understands renting property nonsense?

Cheers thanx guys... Makes so much sense and went thru the contract properly and yeah i will only get my deposit after inspection for damages.. Also one thing I thought they could have gotten away with is if they got interest off my deposit which is against the law unless you agree with it and they have to share lol