Harriet Howe, 29, had just viewed a flat when she received the email, which advised prospective tenants to take extreme steps to secure a rental.
She and her flatmate were looking to move into a two-bedroom property, relocating from their previous place in Wandsworth for a change of area.
Among the suggestions were tactics like offering above the asking price, which is now a common practice among London renters.
But the list also included more drastic measures such as offering up to 12 months’ rent in advance and even encouraging tenants to suggest rent increases themselves.
Harriet, an event planner in Wandsworth, London, said: “I wasn’t necessarily surprised by the individual suggestions but to see them all written down together was quite the pill to swallow.
“The stuff about renters suggesting an annual increase in rent or offering six to 12 months of rent upfront really got to me.”
Originally from Bath, Harriet has been renting in London for eight years so she’s no stranger to the stress the market can cause.
But she says things have become even more difficult recently.
Harriet said: “It has really been ramping up the past couple of years.
“Especially considering most people renting in London are living pay check to pay check and they will not be able to offer such things.”
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After three months of flat hunting, Harriet and her friend eventually managed to find a new place.
She said: “We did end up having to put in an offer above the asking price.
“I love London and I love living here but it is incredibly expensive.
“It’s very tough and I think everyone is just waiting and hoping this Renter’s Reform Bill proposed by the government will come into play quickly and make some real change.”
