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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder where you live if you have crap credit?

81 replies

tillylit · 11/10/2018 15:22

It’s proving quite difficult.

Private renting seems to all be done via an agent and my credit isn’t good enough, but then where are you supposed to live? Anyone know?

OP posts:
SilverHairedCat · 12/10/2018 07:14

Facebook local pages. Gossip girl pages. They sort of thing. Ask about for local landlords, someone always comes up.

WrongKindOfFace · 12/10/2018 07:23

Given your income can you afford to pay six months of rent up front?

Original poster
tillylit · 12/10/2018 07:25

Yes but it makes no difference. I fail the credit checks the agencies insist on.

OP posts:
SilverHairedCat · 12/10/2018 07:28

How old is the CCJ? I'm guessing it is within the 6 years, but if it's older, have you looked to have it cleared from your record?

Have you asked the agencies what the landlord - not the agency - will accept?

Original poster
tillylit · 12/10/2018 07:55

They charge hundreds for a credit check. It isn’t negotiable.

I genuinely don’t know what people with crap credit who can’t get a mortgage and can’t private rent do.

OP posts:
SilverHairedCat · 12/10/2018 07:58

I know they charge for the credit check. That's why I'm saying have you asked them to ask what the landlord will accept not just what the agency wants from you. The landlords are usually more reasonable! It's kind of a private landlord agree 4 but via the agency that way. Go in and lay your cards out before you pay for a credit check.

chillpizza · 12/10/2018 08:05

Go to a smaller letting agents. Be open and honest ( I have a previous ccj, I’ve settled it, I’m willing to pay X amount of rent upfront and a larger deposit, I earn 50k per year which I can prove will any of your landlords accept me) they can then talk to landlords before the credit check part and some will say yes as long as the credit check only flags the ccj as an issue and no other surprises pop up as it shows you being open and honest. Also if you can get a reference from your current or previous to say you never defaulted etc. It’s the larger agents who won’t be bothered to help as much but it’s still worth a shot.

GrapesAreMyJam · 12/10/2018 08:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
tillylit · 12/10/2018 08:41

The thing is, private landlords are few and far between and there’s a high demand for their property and don’t accept kids etc.

OP posts:
Eliza9917 · 12/10/2018 09:55

Try to bypass estate agents. Ask for any rentals on your local facebook pages. That's how we rented our house. Someone posted asking if anyone had a rental going and I replied and said we do but not yet as we were decorating it and someone PM'd me and asked to look at it and then once they had they asked if they could take it as is as they would prefer to decorate to their taste themselves anyway if we didn't mind.

We just checked their references, confirmation of where they work & a bank statement to see what they took home and whether they could afford it. Only took one month as deposit and a month in advance.

There isn't really a necessity to use an agent, it would have cost us about two and a half grand to go through the local agent, god knows what it would have cost the tenant, and to lump those costs on to the rent would have made the rent far too expensive for the area. So after seeing their prices we decided to just do it ourselves. We have all the relevant insurances and all the rest of it so bypassed them.

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 09:55

Tilly just keep trying you will drop lucky I'm sure

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 09:57

There is a letting agent by me that doesn't credit check for studios only flats and houses. Would there be similar by you.

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 09:58

Do you have children Tilly

Shednik · 12/10/2018 09:59

I live in private rented. A friend acted as guarantor. I pay my rent early every month.

I think shelter have a guarantor scheme?

Check Facebook, notice boards in supermarkets etc for private landlords with no agency fees.

Frosty66611 · 12/10/2018 10:00

I found my private landlord on the property section of Gumtree.

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 10:03

I know it's depressing Tilly. I wanted to arrange a viewing on a flat very reasonable rent as well.
I was open before even arranging the viewing and asked the question I have bad credit and will fail the credit check so what would my options be and the letting agent simply said we wouldn't be able to help you. Confused I could have cried. Then I thought oh well your loss because I have actually built up a reputation as a excellent tenant

belfastbosoms · 12/10/2018 10:04

Where do you live at the moment, OP?

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 10:05

My first landlord did actually let to me through a agent but he hadn't insisted on credit checks and fees etc. That letting agent gave me a great reference for my next property.

MicroManaged · 12/10/2018 10:07

We’re moving into rented temporarily to avoid a chain.

I searched gumtree and also posted an ad on the Facebook selling and community sites of the area we wanted to live.

There’s not as many but there are ‘enough’ LL’s.

I’m just a tight arse that truly begrudges paying Estate Agents fees though.

If you find a rental privately, phrase this as your reason...the LL’s I’ve spoken to who do this (post on Gumtree rather than with an agent) have done so for the same reason which is a good start to conversation.

Frosty66611 · 12/10/2018 10:09

Finding a property that has been on their books for a while and they are finding difficult to let might be a possibility. It would mean having to take somewhere that might not be your ideal place but if it’s a lot more affordable then it would be worth it in the end. Could you afford to offer them the full years worth of rent in one go? And then once the lease is up after a year you could give them the next full years rent in one go when they resign the lease and so on.

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 10:11

The council don't credit check maybe get yourself on their list. Of course unless your high priority you will wait ages but still worth getting on.

Worzilgummidge · 12/10/2018 10:13

To what frosty said I think that's ideal.
I am not sure what commitments you have Tilly but can you not do this on your type of income.

Schoolisback1973 · 12/10/2018 10:51

You'll be fine. Just go ahead and search for a flat you can afford in the area you want. I don't have a great credit score but I earn similar to you and have been renting through agencies for 10 years.
I don't think the reference agencies actually go through the credit card as it is an additional cost to them. As long as they are able to contact your employer and verify your salary.
Just try it!

Original poster
tillylit · 12/10/2018 10:52

I have Hmm

OP posts:
Eliza9917 · 12/10/2018 10:55

How long ago is the CCJ from? Can you get an Experian account and check whats on your file and get it all removed?