Too many tenants looking for the same property? What can I do to stand out?
Firstly decide what you are looking for in a rental property and why it matters to you (e.g. near work, or near your children's school, or friends and family). When you then apply, you are only applying for properties that suit your criteria (you are not time wasting) and when you attend viewings you can explain why this property is the one you are most interested in.
Make sure that you have references available. Try not to leave a property under a cloud. References are so important because positive references will put you a head of other tenants.
Look after your credit score, try and download one of the free internet apps and keep a careful eye on your score. If there are issues, then address them urgently.
Although it should not matter, the way you appear can make a real difference when you are one of a number of applicants for a property. When you attend a viewing make sure that you come over well, think of it as job interview. How would you dress? would you come over as a pleasant friendly person? The Landlord needs to feel that you will look after their property, so bear this in mind when you attend the viewing.
Make sure that you have all your finances in place. This could mean you have an amount for a bond ready, or, a months rent in advance. If you have a guarantor, then make sure that the guarantor is suitable (e.g. that they have the means to pay if you default on your rent). Make it clear that you can afford the rent (even in times of a cost of living crisis), that you are not over stretching yourself and you have some disposable income if interest rates were to increase.
If you are taking pets with you, the law has changed/is changing in this regard (please see our blog on pets and renting), but it always helps to have pet references available.
Be prepared to look outside of your preferred rental area and even though you may have a criteria, you may need to be more flexible.
Be patient, the right property is out there for you.