Many people share the view nowadays that if you're renting a home you're in a good position, because the current economic climate is most suited to those that don't own their own dwellings.

I used to be a big believer in this train of thought.  Until last weekend.

My husband and I have jumped on the renting bandwagon and tucked all buying guides away for a while (we're definitely not going to be jumping back into purchasing land in strange-named places like Kaukaupaka again).  So, we're holding fort and looking out for a nice place to rent in an area we may want to buy in a year from now. 

But, our renting journey hasn't been all sweet surrender and sugar.  Oh no, it seems there are many people - too many, in the renting game at the moment.  Which means that when you make your list of houses to go see, the chances are that you'll bump into 20 other people at the open home, or the property will be let within 30 seconds of appearing on trade me.

It was one particular experience we just had that involved a great three-bedroom villa, plenty of lawn and space, that really got up my goat. 

It wasn't just the fact that we had to track down seven references each (both my husband and I), nor was it largely the fact that we had to go a two-hour initiation process (it was between us and another woman), it was more due to the fact that the land agent made such a drama about everything and then never phoned us to say whether we did or didn't get the property.  I mean for god's sake! She just put us through two weeks (yes two weeks) of waiting for responses, meeting with her, tracking references etc and then she doesn't have the ordascity to ring and tell us the final outcome.

That's just plain rude.

Needless to say, it hasn't set us on a very happy pathway - we're tempted to consider buying asap. And hearing from one other guy we met at an open home that he had been turned down from six different places, only worsened the whole situation.

If you've had bad renting experiences I'd love to hear your feedback!