need help in getting a flat to rent with very bad credit ?

I need to get a 2 bedroom flat to rent. I am pregnant with my first baby so need to find somewhere soon. The problem is I am looking to rent, but I have a CCJ and very bad credit history. Is this going to effect me when getting a flat. I know i am entitled to housing benefit for the full amount of the rent. So the landlord will get his money guaranteed. But I will have to go through a agency first and I know they will credit check me?

Passive Income

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...
How difficult is it to privatley rent a flat/house in the uk with a poor credit rating? all of the agency’s in the area do checks and there really isnt a lot of landlords around that dont use them. I’ve heard they might ask for 3-6...
How difficult is it to rent a flat/house with a poor credit rating? All of the agency’s in the area do checks and there really isnt a lot of private landlords around. I’ve heard that sometimes they will ask for 3 to...
Should I rent a flat, or buy a boat to live on? If I rent a flat, I will be paying a substantial amount to live somewhere. This money would probably be equivalent to financing a boat purchase, and mooring fees....
I signed a credit application, and sent in one month’s rent to hold apartment. How do I get deposit back? The credit application did not state I would not receive my deposit back if I did not take apartment. I lost my job and could not take apartment, owner...

5 Responses to “need help in getting a flat to rent with very bad credit ?”

Sal*UK Says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 am
Yes, your reference will be bad - housing benefit helps but you will probably have to get a guarantor. It very much depends on the landlord - and how good the renting agency are at putting information to him.

Probably better to look at private renting.
OriginalBubble Says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Okay, yes it will affect you, most landlord will not touch you. It was a problem for me too, so I decided to share with someone. Because they earned enough money to pay the rent on their own,the agency was fine with us.

If you are going to have housing benefit why not get a council house.
or get a guarantor
dloverise Says:
June 24th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Contact citizens advice bureau…
BARRY B Says:
June 25th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
It is just as likely that a private landlord will do credit checks as well.
If you are able to claim housing benefit for agent’s fees, go to an agent and be upfront with them. Thousands of people are in your position. The agents will want to get their pound of flesh so they won’t turn you away!
If you can’t offset the agent’s fees, which are always horrendous, look for a private landlord who is happy to accept DSS (many state they are) and be honest with him/her. It is far better to start off on the right foot than be rejected because you tried to conceal your difficulties.
Most decent landlords will appreciate your honesty and think all the more of you for it.
Steven B Says:
June 25th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Best bet, I think, is to use a private landlord that will accept housing benefit. Many do, especially because the rent is guaranteed, and if they went through an agent they’d lose a percentage of their income.

Look in your local paper and make phone calls. It’s always better to be honest, so explain your situation and ask if they accept housing benefit and do credit checks.

My brother-in-law is a discharged bankrupt with more, recent, CCJs than you can shake a stick at, but he found a sympathetic landlord quite easily. Now is a good time for people wishing to rent; landlords are worried about having unoccupied properties and no income, and are unable or unwilling to sell.

Good luck!