Rental Application

[SassyMummy]

Okay, so I want to move out of my mother's house and into a rental property with my DP (we're living together part-time at the moment).

The thing is, neither of us has ever been on a lease, and therefore have no evidence that we have paid rent.

I've always lived at home with mum, and have only paid rent to her.

DP has lived with his mother, with his father (in England), with his older sister and her kids, rented out a room in a share house, and now with the family of a guy he works with. The girl who who rented to share-house room from has moved (that's why he had to move out too) so he doesn't have any way to contact her so he can't put her on his application...

I was wondering who we should put as references. I think HE has it easier than I do - I don't work and pretty much the people that have known me for ages who aren't family are my friends and their parents (and I'm not sure if they'd sound great on the phone - one is kinda kindly-sounding but not too bright, and the other likes to swear a bit).

Who should we put on our rental applications as our references?

[Ana Gram]

Everyone has to start somewhere when it comes to renting. When DP and I moved in together he had been living with his Dad for several years and had no other reference he could use and he was in his late 20's. It's not so much about proof you have paid rent before it is more about proof that you will be able to pay rent.

[jaydensmum]

Im not sure who you could use as a reference, sorry. With proof of rent, i wouldnt worry about it. They know that its your first time renting so obviously you cant show them your track history. What you can do though is show them that you've paid off a loan or paying off credit cards etc. That shows that you have been able to put money aside to pay something off, which is similar to rent. They probably will ask for a bank statement so they can see a history of your income and whether its coming in on a regular basis. Sorry im not much help to you, but if you are concerned then try asking the real estate and see what they have to say. Good luck with it all and let us know how you go with it! :fingerscrossed:

jaydensmum

[shed]

You don't really need rental references if you have none. Just get character references. A reference from your mum would be fine in this case.

They just need to know that you are able to pay the rent and that you won't trash the joint.

[maydr]

we dont know anybody when we move here in australia just more than a year ago, but reference has not been a problem when we look for a place.

same with our friends, they've never been asked with reference. instead they've been asked by their employer's contact. and the agent called their employer and confirm if their working there and asked about their annual salary.

[Cade's Mum]

Hi There,

When you find a place that you like take your bank stateements, letter from hubbys work or their business card with contact details and just tell them that you havn't rented before. They will call the workplace anyway, I have verified employment and salary for my staff plenty of times.

I have been told by real estate agent friends that often it is the impression of the person and how well they are prepared that makes the difference in the end.

Not very fair I know - but if this is true its probably best to go in prepared and look like you know what you are doing.

Everyone has to start somewhere so I am sure you will have no problem - Good Luck and happy house hunting :fingerscrossed:

[SassyMummy]

Lol...I think one of the biggest problems for us is that neither of us have ever had a loan, or had a credit card. The closest thing he has to paying off anything is his phone bill...(the car we have was GIVEN to us by my father...).

My DP is expecting a rather large sum of money from his grandmother (who recently passed away)...about 10 000 pounds...which I think is about $23 000. Does anyone know if him having this amount of money to his name might help our cause?

We're not the kind of people to "trash" anything...and I normally try to go in well-prepared and neat-and-tidy looking.

Also - as bad as it might be, does anyone know if bringing your baby along might be a disadvantage? My father seems to think so, and keeps telling me to leave her with someone while we inspect a place. He thinks that even though they will KNOW she exists, to see her in the flesh is a different thing - especially if she's acting up.

ALSO - do real estate agents prefer to see both adults moving in, or is one just as good? I ask because my DP works so much...it's hard for us to both get the chance to look at a property...

[CJJHRA]

DH would often look at rentals on his own, without me, but as long as you both sign the lease, its ok. They prefer all adults living in the house to sign the lease.

They wont usually let you sign a lease without at least one of you seeing a house.

We have always tried to leave our kids with mum when we have looked, else they do tend to play up, and is easier too look without them.


The references are more for checking up on you, so they know who you say you are.

just tell them you have never rented, and they will tell you what things you will need, such as statments and work/centrelink payslips/statements.

[shanz]

Hey there, take bub along if you want....seeing her in the flesh shouldnt make any difference. Although we have a rental/investment property and for me it works better.....I would much prefer a young family in our house then a young couple with no kids. I guess i just have it in my head that it makes you more responsible or something!! Dunno. But when it comes down to it character references should be fine. Do you pay your mum board or anything? If so having your mum verify that would help but in the end the Landlord has the final say and all we get is a phone call and a few things like why the want the house,if they work and if they have a bad history. If there is no rental history then at least it cant be deemed BAD!! You should be fine but most real estates are very helpful anyway. Good luck.