Single mum and renting

I have a great renting history . So no problem there . But now I will be applying as a single mum on CL payments .

Any other single mums on CL , that have had Any problems or no problems getting a rental ?

Never had an issue, we always do a covering letter saying who we are, where we've rented, why we want the house/area, any work history, future plans etc.

It will depend on where you live and what vacancy rates are like in your area.
My sister (single mum) had to have our mother go on the lease when she was looking for rentals a few years ago. And even then, the demand for housing here was so strong she got rejected for lots and lots of properties first. And she had a full time job and great rental history.

As a landlord, we have a priority list of attractive tenants. It isn't the be all and end all, and it does involve a lot of stereotyping. Single mothers do tend to fall behind two parent families, and professional couples with no kids. The reason is because with a single person, they may end up in a relationship. And if that happens you can end up with an extra tenant who you are completely unable to check out prior and have no say about. I have seen this cause massive issues for other landlords firsthand.
(no, it's not fair. Just trying to explain the logic behind these priorities when landlords pick tenants when they have a lot of interest).

You shouldn't have as many issues as a single mother with only 2 children, as I have being a single mother of 4. I've had a RE tell me 'no one wants to rent to a single mother with 4 kids'.
I have only tried once to get private rentals since having DD3 & failed. But that was more because there wasn't much on offer at the time. I've been in public housing since & am hoping to buy so I never have this issue come up again.
If I returned to that area I know I'd struggle. It was a struggle to find a long term rental with only 1 child & a partner.

I think area is everything. Although I haven't had an issue obtaining a rental, I do pay a lot more in rent than a lot of other places. I'm looking to buy also for security for the kids and myself. The amount in mortgage, council rates, insurance, maintenance etc is still less than the rent I pay now I didn't think anyone would offer a loan to me as a single parent but was pleasantly surprised, my biggest hurdle is getting the deposit and costs together while paying astronomical prices in rent! Don't let being a single parent put you off or stop you, its sometimes harder, but its doable.

Thanks ladies

Misty ask a landlord ,would you except a single mum will a excellent rental history if you had no other interest in your propriety at the time ?

We had a couple with 4 kids. Her DH moved out and she was a much better tenant without him

It's frustrating cause I have been the one at home the whole time we were together anyway as he was always at work . I payed the rent , I looked after the house you know .
But now I just don't have him to be apart of a new lease .

Do you have long left on the lease for the house you are currently in? If so could you stay there until it expires and pay the rent yourself then for future application you could include a cover note explaining how you have an excellent rental history and that for however many months you have been on your own without any issues. As a previous landlord all we cared about was the house being looked after and not damaged and the rent being paid on time. I wouldn't disqualify a single mother if she met both those requirements. I wonder if the landlords were worried about someone else moving in with you, if you could put a clause in the rental agreement stating they have to be referenced check etc. Good luck I hope you have an easy time with it.

Thanks ladies

Misty ask a landlord ,would you except a single mum will a excellent rental history if you had no other interest in your propriety at the time ?

Absolutely. It's not that we rule single mums out altogether, it's just that on the list of most preferred tenants, couples come ahead of them. Single women tend to rate ahead of single men as well. It's very much stereotyping.

At the moment our tenant is my sister - a single mother with lots of pets. Ordinarily, if I hadn't known her she would have been low on the list, as we had a lot of other applicants interested. But because I do know her, I also knew that she is a fabulous tenant, always pays rent on time, keeps a much cleaner house then myself, and is good with maintenance and keeping her landlord informed of issues. I also know her well enough to know that she will be a pretty permanent tenant - she has been there three years now, and will likely still be there for the next 10-20yrs (until she gets around to actually deciding to save for her own place).

Having as many good references as possible is a good start.