Is it possible to rent a flat from an agency if you have bad credit history?
I have a default on my credit record from about 2 1/2 years ago and my husband has lived in the UK for less than a year so between us we have a really bad credit rating. We want to rent a flat through a letting agent. Do all agencies check credit ratings? And is there a way of renting if they do?
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July 14th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Yes. I used to work for an estate agent and as long as you had good references and was able to give a months rent up front then there was no problem. My advice is check with a few local agencies and see if they can help you, failing that the Citizen Advice Bureau will help you. Not all Landlords require a credit check to be done.
July 15th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
they may require a much bigger deposit that for someone with a good credit rating, but you should be able to find somewhere.
July 18th, 2009 at 1:53 am
Of course they check
(if you were a Landlord, wouldn’t you demand that the Agent checks ? )
However, so long as you have regular income (jobs) and can show from your Bank Statements that you have money coming in and money to pay the Rent every month, you should have no real problems.
A lot of people with bad credit ratings can’t get a Mortgage so have no choice but to Rent.
It is possible that a Landlord will demand you pay by Direct Debit against a Credit card - be aware that (unlike a Bank Account that will not pay a Direct Debit if there is no money in the account), Direct debits against Credit Cards are almost impossible to stop.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
most letting agencies do check credit rating. But be upfront so you dont look like your hiding anything. they might ask for more rent up front and always for references and copy bank statements. Expect them to go thru your finances and ask to see wage slips, but lots of people are in your position so dont worry, dont be embarrased and dont be bullied - a lot of agents are so far up their behind, if you have hassle go to another agency, there are plenty. bring three months wages slips and three months bank statements with you, and proof of ID and a utility bill such as phone - it’ll make you look efficient and as if you know your stuff.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Shouldn’t be a problem. As long as you can produce employment references and can put down a deposit of about 1 month’s rent + £100, and pay the first month’s rent in advance.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Everything is negotiable in my opinion. It may also depend on location and a few other factors. As a landlord I have found out that a credit report usually does not tell how a person pays their rent.Whereas some will skip that credit card bill or other payment to keep a roof over their heads? So I also check court records to see if they have been evicted before. One other option you can try if you can afford it is to pay an additional security deposit or pay a couple of months rent in advance and explain why your credit is poor even before they run the credit report.
Good luck!
July 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
it is possible not all letting agents check credit ratings produce all relevant paperwork ie income and if possible personal reference