First time poster here, forgive me for the long post.
We just found out a few days ago that our landlord wants to sell the house. DH and I have lived here for 3 years with our children, always paid rent on time, no issues. Prior to this we were renting another house for 4 years and always paid rent on time there with no issues.
As soon as we found out the LL wants to sell we decided to start looking for a new place rather than waiting here until a buyer is found and being hit with a section 21. We found a house that we absolutely loved. It has been on the market for almost 2 months and there were no other applicants when we applied. We sent the EA an email after viewing to confirm we were interested and they sent us a pre-reference application form, which we filled in. On the form it asked if we have any CCJs, court orders, bankruptcies etc, we answered no. It asked if we have adverse credit and DH answered yes on his form. This relates to 2 late payments from 4 years ago on an unsecured debt, however, subsequent payments were made on time and the debt was eventually paid off. He included this information as he felt it was important to be transparent. We both have excellent credit scores according to Equifax.
Fast forward to a few days later, the EA emails to say they and the LL have looked at our pre-reference checks and the LL is happy to go ahead, and to send them our IDs. We submitted our passports (DH is black British), I’m black but not British yet, though I have settled status and have never had a problem renting in the past, we were even able to buy a 1 bed apartment in the past with a mortgage without a problem. So anyway, I send off our IDs and suddenly the EA comes back and says that the LL has decided not to proceed due to the missed payments from years ago. I asked if they had done the referencing checks and she said they wouldn’t bother because we would fail. I asked her to speak to the LL again as we have always been great tenants, we are financially stable and our current and previous LLs are even able to provide excellent references. We even offered to pay several months’ rent upfront. I went on Experian and Equifax to check our credit score again and couldn’t find anything adverse other than this late payment from years ago on my husband’s profile, which is less of an issue now as it’s been years.
I asked the estate agent if we can view other houses that I have seen on their website and she said ‘don’t bother because you would fail referencing and we will not be setting up any viewings for you.’ I have recorded the calls with her today.
AIBU to think that she is possibly racist and that this is a form of discrimination? How can they say yes but withdraw the offer as soon as they see our IDs?
I’m so stressed about all of this.