"Oxford Graduate"·"Spanish Proficiency"... Why London Tenants Also Submit Their Credentials

London Notorious for High Rent... 13.5% Increase in One Year
Landlords Compete for Favor as Tenant Competition Intensifies

In London, England, notorious for its high housing prices, the number of monthly rental listings has recently decreased, intensifying competition among tenants.

In some areas, it is reported that tenants must overcome a competition rate of 100 to 1 to secure a monthly rental contract.

On the 19th (local time), the US Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on various actions London renters are taking to gain favor with landlords.

London, England. [Image source=Pixabay]

According to WSJ, Carmen Leung, originally from Sydney, Australia, recently shared an electronic document file containing her career and hobbies with London real estate agents.

Leung included her language skills in the document, stating, like a resume, that she can speak Spanish and Chinese. After several attempts, she reportedly managed to secure a monthly rental home that was 25% more expensive than her initial budget.

There was also a case of showcasing academic background. Tom Darling, who is active in tenant rights organizations, revealed to landlords that he graduated from Oxford University, one of the world’s prestigious universities, to make a good impression. He also mentioned that he has a neat personality and is very hardworking.

WSJ cited local real estate agents, stating, "In the UK housing sales market, buyers have long used personal statements to move sellers’ hearts to obtain desirable properties," and added, "Now, this practice is happening in the rental market as well, being used in landlords’ evaluations of tenants."

Previously, foreign media pointed out that rental burdens in the UK are pressuring young and low-income tenants. At the end of last month, the BBC reported that the average UK renter spends more than 28% of their pre-tax income on rent. The average over the past decade was 27%.

Chris Ward (31) and his girlfriend expressed in an interview with the BBC, "We are struggling to find a home in London with a budget of ?1,750 (about 2.9 million KRW) per month," adding, "We have no car, do not take vacations, and cannot save for a house." The BBC reported that London rents rose 13.5% year-on-year as of April, and the rent-to-income ratio reached 40%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.