theForum » Housing » Private housing » Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:58:21 GMT

I'm thinking of moving to a city, eg London or Manchester.
I'm unspent because of a SHPO, I get no financial help from govt/DWP etc, I have some money available if needed upfront.
Is it possible? Or do landlords run a mile with unspent convictions because of insurance? Even if I get a place, will gettin a job be equally as difficult and it's all going to be a waste of money?
I have zero knowledge of how this works, I've heard landlords do DBS checks now?! So treat me as if I know nothing.
Thanks in advance.

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

AB2014 — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:58:21 GMT

[quote]

[b]JASB - 19 Aug 23 1:26 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 12 Aug 23 2:53 PM[/b]

Yup, so that tells you that I think they're *so bad*, I'm willing to take that chance. Plus, people on here don't seem to be having the problems I have with overbearing police effectively keeping me isolated.
The StopItNow lady the other day also suggested a complaint but only after I'm free of them. That's extra motivation to make the move a success.
My legal rep has stated his 'concern' in black and white in a letter which I'll give them when they show up next.

[/quote]

Hi

I stayed in one location for a few years on my release; then I moved.

In my opinion, in the same manner as you are concerned with a "new police area practices", they will have the same concerns about you; it is true.
In my opinion this is because their is a lack of "trust " on the data held centrally. They know the practices of their own area may be suspect so why trust an other area lol

Until recently I have rented and never had to disclose. To be honest I would be more concerned about the rising cost of rent.
Else get a motorhome / caravan and book a weekly meeting to register. They would get to know you very quickly and possible help with overall.

Let us know how you get on. Where I now live we have the "world's most expensive ferry tickets" in regard to cost to miles covered so everywhere has its's downsides

[/quote]

Regsitering weekly might not help, as it doesn't have to be done by PPU. Mine is always done by front desk staff in an interview room. They just ask if the information has changed, I show them my driving licence and bank cards and that's it for another twelve months. Of course, it might be different in other areas.

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

JASB — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 13:26:23 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 12 Aug 23 2:53 PM[/b]

[/quote]

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 14:53:05 GMT

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

punter99 — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 10:05:32 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 11 Aug 23 2:37 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]punter99 - 11 Aug 23 11:52 AM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 10 Aug 23 5:27 PM[/b]

Just a little update on this if anyone else was thinking of doing something similar.
Someone suggested to ask the StopitNow helpline and I spoke to a helpful lady. They understand the situation we're in without having to explain everything about orders etc.
They suggested AirBnB and keep the police happy by reporting the address as a holiday short/mid term. Then it saves registering with the new force.
Also, some hotels, in London at least from what I've seen, are advertising their rooms as longer stays. The interesting thing about that is the "bills" are included (as you would expect staying in a hotel), so that gets around insurance/bills at least for a short term to mid term. Also they're in better locations than what is affordable to rent.
Thanks also for the idea about the independent landlords, Richie, I've found a site that has independent ones.
Ideally, this gives more time to build a foundation without taking the plunge in the deep end.
These options make this feel like this idea is a bit more achievable. One step at a time...

[/quote]

So what exactly is your plan? Move to the area temporarily to look for work, and get somewhere permanent when you get a job?

[/quote]

Pretty much. I can take my freelance work I'm doing now with me, because that can be done from anywhere. Apply and hopefully line up some interviews and then get there and see what happens.
There's hardly any opportunities where I live because it's so rural, so at least I can spend some time in the city seeing more life. I have (supportive) friends there too.
Worst case scenario I end up back here in ruraltown and I take stock. But I'm not going to sit around for five years waiting for this pointless order to end and be a punching bag to a bullying police force, that vile combination is ruining me.

[/quote]

I totally get why you would want to escape from the police harassment, but of course you are only swapping one police force for another. It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire...

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:37:14 GMT

[quote]

[b]punter99 - 11 Aug 23 11:52 AM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 10 Aug 23 5:27 PM[/b]

[/quote]

So what exactly is your plan? Move to the area temporarily to look for work, and get somewhere permanent when you get a job?

[/quote]

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

punter99 — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:52:39 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 10 Aug 23 5:27 PM[/b]

[/quote]

So what exactly is your plan? Move to the area temporarily to look for work, and get somewhere permanent when you get a job?

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:27:43 GMT

Just a little update on this if anyone else was thinking of doing something similar.
Someone suggested to ask the StopitNow helpline and I spoke to a helpful lady. They understand the situation we're in without having to explain everything about orders etc.
They suggested AirBnB and keep the police happy by reporting the address as a holiday short/mid term. Then it saves registering with the new force.
Also, some hotels, in London at least from what I've seen, are advertising their rooms as longer stays. The interesting thing about that is the "bills" are included (as you would expect staying in a hotel), so that gets around insurance/bills at least for a short term to mid term. Also they're in better locations than what is affordable to rent.
Thanks also for the idea about the independent landlords, Richie, I've found a site that has independent ones which I'll keep an eye on.
Ideally, this gives more time to build a foundation without taking the plunge in the deep end and "officially move" if you like.
These options make this feel like this idea is a bit more achievable. One step at a time...

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Richie — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 22:06:06 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 10 Jul 23 2:28 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]JASB - 8 Jul 23 2:23 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 23 Jun 23 2:07 PM[/b]

[/quote]

Hi Mr W

Since my release in 2014 I have been renting in 2 different properties. never have I had to undergo a "background check" so fingers crossed for you. PPU were not really bothered either but each area different.

However in 2015 I was going to buy a flat and the "lease agreement" I would have to sign did have a line in it about Crim Recs due to the building insurance; but a solicitor told me that if I rented it out then it would be up to me to enforce but again double check "your tenant agreement.

Having just bought a flat I have been renting, I double checked the lease agreement and not mentioned.

Moral of the story "just check" as everything is different in every ocurance :)

Good luck and hope goes well.

[/quote]

Thanks JASB, that does sound a little more hopeful than what I'd read so far.
The rub is apparently around the insurance the landlord has to pay because I'm unspent and I read that it's on me to be upfront about it. Whether to read between the lines there, I'm not sure. One step at a time, I guess.

[/quote]

All the rules around disclosure are that you only need to disclose to insurance companies or landlords if they ask you. If they don't ask you then don't tell them anything they don't need to know.

As you are renting I would just look at a few landlords and letting agents. If they ask about criminal convictions then you have to face up to it but I bet a lot don't. It maybe better going direct to independent landlords than through an agency. An agency is more likely to do checks on you than an independent landlord.

I own a leasehold flat and have never been asked about criminal offences. There is nothing in the lease which says I have to declare any offences so as far as I am concerned I don't have to disclose. I buy my building insurance through the landlord but the question has never been asked. It was however the most panicky part of buying the flat in case someone asked about convictions!

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

AB2014 — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:21:15 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 10 Jul 23 2:28 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]JASB - 8 Jul 23 2:23 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 23 Jun 23 2:07 PM[/b]

[/quote]

I think it's on the landlord, who is the policyholder, to be upfront about it. You have a responsibility to answer disclosure questions accurately in line with what the landlord has the legal right to see. If they don't ask, it's not your responsibility to insist that they let you disclose to them.

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:28:47 GMT

[quote]

[b]JASB - 8 Jul 23 2:23 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 23 Jun 23 2:07 PM[/b]

[/quote]

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

JASB — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 14:23:21 GMT

[quote]

[b]Mr W - 23 Jun 23 2:07 PM[/b]

[/quote]

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mr W — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 13:24:09 GMT

Thank you, I have looked at those.
It's not going to be easy I know, I was wondering if anyone had experience in recent times, what the current temperature is like on the amount of checks that go on etc

RE: Is privately renting while unspent possible?

Mark15788 — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:00:53 GMT

I would give these a read - https://www.nacro.org.uk/nacro-services/advice/advice-for-individuals/housing/ https://unlock.org.uk/topic/housing-and-living-in-the-uk/