Never getting responses from Daft/Rent

LittleBrick

I am currently looking at renting. Despite messaging countless different ads on daft/rent, I have gotten a bare handful of responses. I check it daily, so usually message just as they are advertised. I include my name, profession, no kids/pets, non smoker, renting with one other, late 20s. Is there anything else I can include to increase likelihood of a response?

javaboy

LittleBrick wrote: »

I am currently looking at renting. Despite messaging countless different ads on daft/rent, I have gotten a bare handful of responses. I check it daily, so usually message just as they are advertised. I include my name, profession, no kids/pets, non smoker, renting with one other, late 20s. Is there anything else I can include to increase likelihood of a response?

Say you have references ready, deposit & first month's rent, that you can view anytime, and that you can move in immediately. If there's a phone number, call it.

gauchesnell

Yeah definitely include the info re references and deposit. Make sure you have a little pack ready to go. Checking daily probably isnt sufficient - set up an alert and contact once advertised.

houseyhouse

You can set up an alert for rentals that meet your criteria re. price, beds, area etc. That way you can have a message written out and saved on your phone/computer and message them as soon as the ad goes up. I know somebody who lets out an apartment and they often get hundreds of emails within the first few hours (this was pre-Covid) so they just read until they have a few they think are decent and invite those to view. No way they could respond to them all. I let out an apartment during level 5 and we got much fewer responses but I'd say they could be up again now.

The point about references etc. is also important. Make sure to include info about yourself and your friend renting with you. Also the landlord probably wants tenants that won't cause problems so if you're quiet, neat, etc., you can say that too. And I'd be very clear that there will only be two of you living there. It's not uncommon for two people to rent a 2-bed as if there are only two of them and then move in partners so that there are actually 4 living there, which for the landlord means twice as much wear and tear on the property.

handlemaster

OP. Also where you a living , why you are moving. As when you can view.

Jmc25

I found a lot of ads are left up after viewings have been arranged or the let has been agreed. It's best to sort by date added and apply to the ones added in recent days.

The date entered/renewed at the bottom of the page can be helpful too. If it's been renewed in the last couple of days there's a higher chance that they're still actively looking for applicants. If it hasn't been renewed in a couple of weeks, chances are they've found tenants already.

It sounds like you're including a good bit of info but generally including salary is important. At the end of the day, the landlord is interested in your ability to pay the rent above all else.

Baby01032012

What are you looking for OP and where?

Amadan Dubh

Also include that you have a permanent, full time job if you can. If the job title implies a good salary then no need to mention it.

I nearly always got replies to properties when I messaged.

Typical structure was;

Dear [],

I would like to enquire about the property advertised in order to set up a viewing on behalf of myself and my partner, with the intention of taking on the lease if all goes well. [one line why it is suitable for me].

By way of brief background about me/us, [job title, permanent, no pets, currently living in X, type of property it is and rent we pay]. Happy to provide more info as required (including references).

Available to view anytime and move in ASAP. I look forward to hearing from you.

sharpish

Have a prepared paragraph about yourself and send it as soon as your get the alert. ( people take the ads down when they get enough responses and then go through them )

Be direct, and it is worse than job applications. Your first line should get you into the maybe pile and then get to the waffle.

for a landlord, maybe something like:


Hi there. ( if you know their name, use it)

We are 2 working professionals in our late 20's from ( insert county/country) working in the ( insert industry/profession ) with all the necessary references, deposit, and your property would be ideal for us.

We are two friends renting together for x number of years. We have no pets, both non-smokers and live a quiet life. Working long hours as we in the early stages of our careers and both ambitious. We've rented recently for x number of months/years, and we are moving due to ( or we've moved to Dublin for permanent full-time jobs)

I look forward to hearing from you.

Name + phone number

You can add more, but I think the first line is key to grab their attention and get into the maybe pile.

For houseshares, it's completely different.

Also offer to pay a couple of months in advance/pay a larger deposit.

Emma2019

Jesus christ. Are we getting to the stage where you have to disclose salary?

Also paying extra in advance or larger deposits is also insane! That really should be illegal. Along with "non refundable booking deposits"

OP I think previous advice about sorting by new and saying you have first month's rent and deposit available plus being near and no pets/ kids should be sufficient

Emma2019

Emma2019 wrote: »

Jesus christ. Are we getting to the stage where you have to disclose salary?

Also paying extra in advance or larger deposits is also insane! That really should be illegal. Along with "non refundable booking deposits"

OP I think previous advice about sorting by new and saying you have first month's rent and deposit available plus being near and no pets/ kids should be sufficient

What you list in the last paragraph is the minimum requirement, and does not make the op more appealing than other applicants.

FromADistance

Emma2019 wrote: »

Jesus christ. Are we getting to the stage where you have to disclose salary?

Also paying extra in advance or larger deposits is also insane! That really should be illegal. Along with "non refundable booking deposits"

OP I think previous advice about sorting by new and saying you have first month's rent and deposit available plus being near and no pets/ kids should be sufficient

I believe there is legislation coming where the max deposit allowable will be 2 months. But for some renters, a years deposit wouldn't be enough. I seen what a lazy ****er did to a house being rented out by a family member... that bad an industrial sized skip had to be hired to get rid of the waste... nieve on the landlords part but still an utter disgrace that anyone would leave a house in that state. Some people have no pride in themselves... perennial life loosers. Also stopped paying rent after loosing his job despite HAP because he couldn't be arsed finding out about it.

And well one could say it was an isolated incident but I'll be honest, if I had a house to rent, I'd want to know what the renter had for dinner.

FromADistance

FromADistance wrote: »

I believe there is legislation coming where the max deposit allowable will be 2 months. But for some renters, a years deposit wouldn't be enough. I seen what a lazy ****er did to a house being rented out by a family member... that bad an industrial sized skip had to be hired to get rid of the waste... nieve on the landlords part but still an utter disgrace that anyone would leave a house in that state. Some people have no pride in themselves... perennial life loosers. Also stopped paying rent after loosing his job despite HAP because he couldn't be arsed finding out about it.

And well one could say it was an isolated incident but I'll be honest, if I had a house to rent, I'd want to know what the renter had for dinner.

Not sure the legislation has been enacted yet, but my understanding is that it will prohibit LLs from requesting/requiring larger deposits/more than one months rent in advance, it does not though prohibit an applicant from offering it. I am open to correction on this.

JimmyVik

Make sure you put an email address as well as your phone number.
Some landlords like to whittle down the list via email before calling the people left at the top of their list.
The reason the answers stop is that landlords are afraid to say anything now due to the high risk of getting brought to court on some discrimination thing. So they say as little as possible.
Therefore you should give as much info as possible, so they dont have to get back to you to ask.

Jmc25

Emma2019 wrote: »

Jesus christ. Are we getting to the stage where you have to disclose salary?

I certainly don't agree with it but it does seem to be where we are. I applied to various places at the start of March and then again in early April using two slightly different copy and pastes. The one in April got more responses and the only difference really was that our salaries were included.

I'm dead against this "give me every last detail including your DNA" mentality that some LL's have but I included the salary on the basis that we're on a decent enough joint salary and it'd probably give us an advantage over others applying.

JimmyVik

Jmc25 wrote: »

I certainly don't agree with it but it does seem to be where we are. I applied to various places at the start of March and then again in early April using two slightly different copy and pastes. The one in April got more responses and the only difference really was that our salaries were included.

I'm dead against this "give me every last detail including your DNA" mentality that some LL's have but I included the salary on the basis that we're on a decent enough joint salary and it'd probably give us an advantage over others applying.

Also landlords could give more info.
I spent a while looking last year and the amount that I only found out were 6 month lets and then I would have to move out was very annoying.
But to only find this out after getting on the "shortlist" was even more annoying.
The problem in Ireland is a lease does not mean a lease, so no point anyone stating the terms or signing one. So a lot of detail is left out of the ad and first contacts.

mrslancaster

It's getting to the stage where renting will be like taking out any loan, the provider will want as much information as possible before handing over keys including employment information & ability to pay.

Imo if the one month deposit is a new regulation then almost everything will be unfurnished with only the white goods supplied.

mrslancaster

mrslancaster wrote: »

It's getting to the stage where renting will be like taking out any loan, the provider will want as much information as possible before handing over keys including employment information & ability to pay.

Imo if the one month deposit is a new regulation then almost everything will be unfurnished with only the white goods supplied.

Should it be any other way? The tenant is getting the benefit of an asset worth hundreds of thousands.

mrslancaster

Dav010 wrote: »

Should it be any other way? The tenant is getting the benefit of an asset worth hundreds of thousands.

Agree but that's not the way it has been here compared to other countires. Tenants are used to walking into a fully furnished house with relatively basic checks by the landlord.

From what I've read the regulations expect landlords to make sure the property is safe in terms of electrics, gas, ventilation & structure, the only thing landlord has to provide over and above what the builder provides is white goods.

If renting goes the same way as in other countries then tenants can expect a shell that is freshly painted & will have to return it freshly painted or pay for that outside of the rent. Anything else furniture, floor & window coverings, they will provide themselves.

FromADistance

mrslancaster wrote: »

It's getting to the stage where renting will be like taking out any loan, the provider will want as much information as possible before handing over keys including employment information & ability to pay.

Imo if the one month deposit is a new regulation then almost everything will be unfurnished with only the white goods supplied.

The way it should be. Try evicting someone who decides to stop paying their rent for whatever reason & you'd know all about it. We're too soft on renters in this country. This nonsence is not tolerated in the UK.

LittleBrick

Just heard back from one apartment. Before giving a viewing, they wanted:

- 3 months of bank statements for both people that would be renting.
- Work and landlord reference for both.
- PPS numbers.
- Photo identification.
- Utility bills.

I can't be the only one that thinks this is overkill for a mere viewing?

javaboy

LittleBrick wrote: »

Just heard back from one apartment. Before giving a viewing, they wanted:

- 3 months of bank statements for both people that would be renting.
- Work and landlord reference for both.
- PPS numbers.
- Photo identification.
- Utility bills.

I can't be the only one that thinks this is overkill for a mere viewing?

I got this request for a viewing pre-COVID. Looked like a small time landlord and it came across as extremely unprofessional. Made me wonder what kind of landlord they’d be. I ran a mile even though I was under a little time pressure to find somewhere.

Samuel T. Cogley

LittleBrick wrote: »

Just heard back from one apartment. Before giving a viewing, they wanted:

- 3 months of bank statements for both people that would be renting.
- Work and landlord reference for both.
- PPS numbers.
- Photo identification.
- Utility bills.

I can't be the only one that thinks this is overkill for a mere viewing?

The DPC agree with you. No problem asking this of the person you're potentially offering it to, but not for a viewing.

Amadan Dubh

Jmc25 wrote: »

I certainly don't agree with it but it does seem to be where we are. I applied to various places at the start of March and then again in early April using two slightly different copy and pastes. The one in April got more responses and the only difference really was that our salaries were included.

I'm dead against this "give me every last detail including your DNA" mentality that some LL's have but I included the salary on the basis that we're on a decent enough joint salary and it'd probably give us an advantage over others applying.

It works both ways. I would only enquire with a management company when seeking a rental and never direct with an individual landlord, for a similar reason that I have my own needs and boundaries that experience has taught me individual landlords tend not to respect.

handlemaster

LittleBrick wrote: »

Just heard back from one apartment. Before giving a viewing, they wanted:

- 3 months of bank statements for both people that would be renting.
- Work and landlord reference for both.
- PPS numbers.
- Photo identification.
- Utility bills.

I can't be the only one that thinks this is overkill for a mere viewing?

What would be thr value of that apartment? Its common in most countries to provide financial information to ensure the renter can pay.

wench

As mentioned above, the DPC has previously ruled such overreach as excessive.
You can see their case study here (p5), which is almost identical to what you're being asked for

https://www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2019-07/190710%20Requesting%20Personal%20Data%20from%20Prospective%20Tenants.pdf

Graham

handlemaster wrote: »

What would be thr value of that apartment? Its common in most countries to provide financial information to ensure the renter can pay.

Data protection laws apply regardless of the value.

meijin

LittleBrick wrote: »

Just heard back from one apartment. Before giving a viewing, they wanted:

- 3 months of bank statements for both people that would be renting.
- Work and landlord reference for both.
- PPS numbers.
- Photo identification.
- Utility bills.

I can't be the only one that thinks this is overkill for a mere viewing?

Do they want it all sent by email? Before you even see the place?

Well... that's one way to do identity theft. They can then easily pretend to be you with all that paperwork.

Is it at least some know agency, or just a random person?

mrslancaster

What information can a landlord ask for upfront? Is there some reason that a pps number is required e.g. to make sure the person is legally in the country or something?

Graham

mrslancaster wrote: »

What information can a landlord ask for upfront? Is there some reason that a pps number is required e.g. to make sure the person is legally in the country or something?

The PPSN is required to register a tenancy.

It would follow that it's appropriate to ask for this when the chosen tenant has been offered the tenancy and the offer has been accepted. This would align with the GDPR principles of purpose limitation and data minimisation.

mrslancaster

Graham wrote: »

The PPSN is required to register a tenancy.

It would follow that it's appropriate to ask for this when the chosen tenant has been offered the tenancy and the offer has been accepted.

How does a landlord whittle down dozens of emails from interested people? It sounds a bit like job applications, people are expected to provide all the relevant information to make the short list.

In the case of renting its financial information, job security, renting history etc. Anyone job hunting or house hunting has to do what's necessary.

People hand over huge amounts of information to banks for small loans or to garages for car financing without any problems. And anyone who has a mortgage knows what that entails.

A landlord is handing over possession of something worth hundreds of thousands so it's understandable that they want details of who they will consider.

Residential letting is becoming more like commercial letting IMO, business people know the hoops they need to go through to secure a premises. IMO landlords & tenants will be signing contracts/leases through a solicitor & not just a lease drawn up by a letting agent or downloaded from the internet. That's probably more professional as both parties are aware of what they signed up to and solicitors make sure everything is ok.

Graham

mrslancaster wrote: »

How does a landlord whittle down dozens of emails from interested people?

Pick names out of a hat, arrange multiple viewings. It's not that complicated

As a prospective tenant I certainly wouldn't entertain providing financial information just to view a property to decide whether I'm even interested in pursuing a tenancy.

mrslancaster wrote: »

A landlord is handing over possession of something worth hundreds of thousands so it's understandable that they want details of who they will consider.

Not at the point of arranging viewings they're not.

mrslancaster wrote: »

In the case of renting its financial information, job security, renting history etc. Anyone job hunting or house hunting has to do what's necessary.

People hand over huge amounts of information to banks for small loans or to garages for car financing without any problems. And anyone who has a mortgage knows what that entails.

DPC guidance is quite clear on this. Additional/further information including references/financials can be asked of the preferred/potential tenant.

What is also clear is it's not appropriate for a landlord to ask multiple potential tenants for excessive personal data to make their decision making easier.

mrslancaster

Graham wrote: »

Pick names out of a hat, arrange multiple viewings. It's not that complicated

As a prospective tenant I certainly wouldn't entertain providing financial information just to view a property to decide whether I'm even interested in pursuing a tenancy.



Not at the point of arranging viewings they're not.



DPC guidance is quite clear on this. Additional/further information including references/financials can be asked of the preferred/potential tenant.

What is also clear is it's not appropriate for a landlord to ask multiple potential tenants for excessive personal data to make their decision making easier.

Agree it shouldn't be excessive that's why I asked what information can a landlord ask for? I've seen recently that EA's will not arrange viewings for buyers without proof of the mortgage loan amount which seems ott.

Not sure if picking names out of a hat is a good way but I'm not a landlord.

Is renting not similar to applying for a job though? Employers get multiple applications for jobs, they have a list of requirements & they short-list their preferred candidates who have freely provided relevant information. Employers have similar responsibilities regarding gdpr, equality & non discrimination but are allowed to select the most suitable candidate. Why can landlords not use similar methods to select a tenant for their property

mrslancaster

mrslancaster wrote: »

Agree it shouldn't be excessive that's why I asked what information can a landlord ask for? I've seen recently that EA's will not arrange viewings for buyers without proof of the mortgage loan amount which seems ott.

Not sure if picking names out of a hat is a good way but I'm not a landlord.

Is renting not similar to applying for a job though? Employers get multiple applications for jobs, they have a list of requirements & they short-list their preferred candidates who have freely provided relevant information. Employers have similar responsibilities regarding gdpr, equality & non discrimination but are allowed to select the most suitable candidate. Why can landlords not use similar methods to select a tenant for their property

Because there is an enormous difference between employing someone who you can let go if they do not do what they are contracted to do, and a tenant who you cannot remove if they do not do what they are contracted to do.

Graham

mrslancaster wrote: »

Agree it shouldn't be excessive that's why I asked what information can a landlord ask for? I've seen recently that EA's will not arrange viewings for buyers without proof of the mortgage loan amount which seems ott.

I agree it's OTT and I have no doubt it would not pass consideration by the DPC.

mrslancaster wrote: »

Not sure if picking names out of a hat is a good way but I'm not a landlord.

If a landlord is unable to narrow down his selection without excessive data he/she is free to show the property to all applicants

mrslancaster wrote: »

Is renting not similar to applying for a job though?y

I can't speak much to DPC requirements for job applicants.

Not that it would make a difference, unambiguous guidance already exists for landlords/agencies.

agoodpunt

After viewing interested parties are asked to provide refs, banking and jobstatus contract information
But to skip to the top of the Q, initial email could include this with a move in date and reason for moving to the area, ie on a bus route

JimmyVik

agoodpunt wrote: »

After viewing interested parties are asked to provide refs, banking and jobstatus contract information
But to skip to the top of the Q, initial email could include this with a move in date and reason for moving to the area, ie on a bus route

I found when I was looking i got no responses, and then when i started including work and previous LL references and job details and some info about myself etc on the initial email I got a response to every one of them.

B Rabbit

A friend sent me this a few months ago as a joke as it reflected the dire situation we're in with regards to housing.

No idea if it's of any use

https://johhnyt.gumroad.com/l/househuntingemailtemplateireland

DubCount

This thread is a great advert for Landlords to leave the market.

After forking out thousands of Euro on a property, you have the data protection stasi preventing you from collecting information necessary to assess prospective tenants in terms of their ability to pay or track record etc. Thats before you even get to register with the tenant-loving RTB.

Anyway, for OP. Time is critical in your response. I was with someone recently who had an add for a room on Daft. He received almost 200 emails in the first hour of the add being up. Assuming a LL will want maybe 4/5 viewings, most will start at the top and stop when they have short listed to about 10. Replying the next morning is pointless - the viewings are already decided before you reply. Have a template email ready which is short and sells yourself as a tenant, and be ready to reply immediately you get a notification of something you may want.

Good luck. Maybe if we eased off on the over-regulation of the rental market, we might have more rentals for people to find accommodation.

As a LL my advice is to get your e-mail in early, I get more applications than I can process when I list a property. I'll often check back a few hours after listing and make a shortlist from this. When I have a sufficient short list I generally don't check any more e-mails. I generally receive 300+ e-mails on the day of listing, I whittle this down to 10. Generally the e-mails that provide the most detail and a little personal background get added to the shortlist. While I wouldn't request proof of funds and references for a viewing it is information that the landlord will require to selection make a selection. The PPS number is not required until signing the contract, but its probably important that the landlord knows you have one. I find at the minute there is such a demand that rentals are not reaching the market, people often ask when they become available to let them know, so its no harm asking at work if anybody has a rental property.