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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there is a very real chance we're going to be homeless soon?

49 replies

ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 13:00

We're in the shit big time. The trouble is this...Dh and I don't earn a lot. Both self employed, we work hard but make only enough to just get by.

Our landlord is selling...we need to look at a new rental. Our credit scores are "Fair" and I am seriously panicked that when we try to rent through an agency, we just won't pass.

We know nobody to be a guarantor. Everyone we know is a low earner or not a homeowner.

We would have to save up enough to pay 6 months rent in advance in order for agencies to touch us...and our current home is on the market as of next week. If it sells, we have 2 months notice and then we're out.

We rent from an ex employer and never had to have a credit check to move in here...I'm so worried. We've been here for 7 years...it's home. But obviously it's not...we are saving but it's so slow. We need about three grand and I don't know where to turn.

I just looked at peer to peer lending and got a knockback right away. I am saving but it's hard when you've only just got enough anyway. DH works long hours and so do I...no time for an extra job at all. I have been thinking up all kinds of schemes and none of them are realistic. Is there ANY advice here? Where can I lend with a rubbish credit score?

OP posts:
Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 13:01

I should mention that we have no chance of a council owned rental...they've taken everyone off their waiting list as they simply have no empty homes. As houses are vacated, they are filling them with people from hostels. I don't want to go to a hostel with our children. Sad

OP posts:
OvaryAction · 18/10/2013 13:03

What about a housing association? I don't really understand how they work but didn't want to read and run

Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 13:05

We only have one housing provider her Ovary and they were the housing association and council amalgamated.

OP posts:
Latara · 18/10/2013 13:07

Look at private rentals (ie not through agencies) usually found in the small ads of local newspapers.
The landlord next door rents out his house privately; and several of my friends rent houses that way.
You may get a better deal than paying agency fees etc.

TiaMariaandSpringCleaning · 18/10/2013 13:08

Have you contacted the housing association and asked them for advice? The government funded Money Advice service www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk may also be a useful starting point

Caitlin17 · 18/10/2013 13:08

Wouldn't the current landlord give you a reference? You've been there 7 years and he's ending the tenancy because he's selling, not because of you.

So far as credit checks having the same address for 7 years is a good thing.

nancy75 · 18/10/2013 13:10

Would your current landlord write you a really glowing reference?

I think when dealing with rental agencies it is good to be upfront, tell them about your credit rating before they find out for themselves and have the ref from current landlord ready.
If you have paid your rent on time for the last 7 years you are unlikely to change that habit now. Also ask the old landlord to put you are great tenants, look after the house ect

A friend of mine has a bad credit history & no guarantor, he has rented a new house recently on the strength of his old landlords recommendation. Good luck

quoteunquote · 18/10/2013 13:16

Talk to shelter get advice in advance,

Get a good reference from your landlord, you pay your rent on time, and are responsible.

Run an advert on local boards to let people know some great tenants are available, put the word out, all lets go on word of mouth here.

Go and speak to your local town council, we have properties that belong to the town, there are waiting lists, but are peppercorn rents.

Write to every housing trust in your area, keep writing.

good luck.

bellablot · 18/10/2013 13:19

Your situation sounds terrifying however the application for renting through an agency is not solely based on your credit check. 7 years at one place with a glowing reference from your landlord should suffice, oh and of course total household income will depend on the rental coat you can afford to pay, they will take this into consideration. However, private landlords do not usually do credit checks and there are plenty out there. Your not homeless yet, you need to take a few deep breaths, relax explore all options. Get on it

Harryhairypig · 18/10/2013 13:26

As you are threatened with homelessness the council also have a duty to provide you with advice and assistance to help you get housing, you may have to push for this. They sometimes do deposit bond schemes, or have landlords who will rent to you if the council guarantees your deposit. They also have a duty to house you if you end up homeless but as you know that could be a hostel until they can house you through the list. Try them again and if you get no joy, get some advice from shelter.

tiredoutgran · 18/10/2013 14:10

Please stop worrying. We have just moved, through an agency, and unable to provide references from our landlord. We had been forced out by the landlord who wanted to sell and we had (on our solicitors advice) withheld the rent for 2 months before the end of the fixed term.

I explained all of this to the agents and they got references from our previous landlords with no problem whatsoever. I had been panicking that nobody would touch us because of the rent non payment. If we can get one with that history you should have no problem, we haven't needed a guarantor or any extra deposit, nor have we needed to pay months of rent upfront.

By the way, we are on the council housing list, with homeless priority, because they had nowhere to put us. We were told to try and rent privately until something comes up without it affecting our priority, so definitely worth a chat.

tiredoutgran · 18/10/2013 14:13

ooh, should have mentioned, the agents said as long as we had 2.5 times the monthly rent as income we would meet the financial criteria. T

DontCallMeDaughter · 18/10/2013 14:19

Definitely look to rent on gumtree or other private rentals. Private landlords don't do credit checks generally. Reference from previous landlord and 1mo deposit and you should be fine.

NomDeOrdinateur · 18/10/2013 14:36

Definitely look for independent landlords, but please don't worry too much about lettings agency credit checks. We failed the credit check for our current rental as we were both in between jobs (i.e. moving to an area in order to take up a firm job offer). We had good references, proved that we had sufficient money in savings to cover the initial fixed tenancy period, and the landlords decided to take us on.

Lj8893 · 18/10/2013 15:13

I just wanted to give you a little hope. We applied for the council housing register in August after becoming homeless and living in my DPs mums b&b room in her pub. We were told that there are little to zero properties in our area and we wernt priority at all.

Last week we placed a bid on a housing association property ran through the council housing register and today we found out we won the bid and are now waiting for a move date!

So it can happen, there's no harm in applying.

But in the meantime, certainly search for private landlords. I was also told by one letting agent that all they really are concerned about on credit checks are any ccjs.

Jewels234 · 18/10/2013 15:39

Private landlords through websites like Gumtree or Spare Room don't tend to do credit checks.

From someone who has rented a lot I know that your credit score has to be really bad for you to be knocked back (i.e. outstanding ccjs) so as long as you do have any of those I wouldn't worry :)

Trapper · 18/10/2013 15:44

My agency credit check consisted of checking for CCJs only. If this is the norm, you have nothing to worry about.

Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 15:50

Thank you all for the reassurance. I am trying to remain positive and the landlord's agent has said repeatedly "We'll look after you" which makes me a bit Hmm in what WAY?

We are trying to save...so that we could offer 6 months in advance but it's a lot. Shall I ask the landlord for a reference now or will agents/landlords contact him if we apply for their property?

OP posts:
loveandsmiles · 18/10/2013 15:56

We have rental properties and some of our best tenants have been those we advertised for privately ~ those with young families IMO tend to view the property as their home, keep it nice and pay rent on time.

Have also let property through an agency to professionals who paid no rent, wrecked the place and disappeared.

If a tenant came to me with a good reference from the last 7 years, I would be delighted Smile. Look at private rentals and try not to worry....

Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 15:56

tired surely you're not within your rights to withold rent because the LL is selling? I mean if he gives me notice then I still must pay...

OP posts:
Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 15:58

LoveandSmiles I just looked at Gumtree and all there are is ads for people looking for private rentals...no houses at all.

OP posts:
kilmuir · 18/10/2013 16:00

Why would a solicitor tell you to withold rent because landlord wanted to sell?

bourneout · 18/10/2013 16:07

Look at the credit unions around your way. if you can save with them I suspect they could loan you enough for the deposit and initial rent by the time you needed to move.

Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 18/10/2013 16:07

Bourned you need to have been saving a year....I possibly have only a few months.

OP posts:
whois · 18/10/2013 16:11

Why would a solicitor tell you to withold rent because landlord wanted to sell?

Wondering that as well. Maybe the landlord didn't give the required amount of notice or something?

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