OH poor credit and renting

[ukchoco]

Hi,

Long story cut short, I am looking at renting with my partner at the moment. We are both currently renting separately, however OH has a very poor credit history (although he is setting up repayments and trying to sort himself out from the mess his ex left him) I have fantastic credit rating. However, concerned that we will be turned down because of his credit history.

What are peoples thoughts with this, I don't know what the best option is to do.

They only look at your ability to pay rent. Nothing else.

Sorry total rubbish - they do not only look at your ability to rent. I’m a letting manager and we of course check affordability but also have to run a full credit check on both parties.

Both parties need to pass this check in order to proceed- so in your OH’s case you will need to look at either paying 6 months up front or getting a guarantor to act for you

What does "poor credit history" mean? Lettings agencies can only see your public record, which basically means CCJs / IVAs / bankruptcies. If he just has late payments and defaults, they won't see anything.

There are landlords who ask for many months of banking statements to check income and expenses.

One important piece of advice: before paying a holding deposit, be sure to sign some kind of holding deposit contract that specifies when you lose the money and when you don't. Losing it if you change your mind or if you have lied about your situation is fair. But many agents would include 'failing checks' into the reasons for losing the holding deposit. This is typically worded so generically that it practically allows the landlord to change his mind and claim it was because you didn't tick some vague and unspecified box.

Your credit history will be checked and if you don't pass the credit check you will need a guarantor.

Thanks for your messages.

What would the terms be for a guarantor?
OH has been renting in his current property for over 5 years so annoying that credit rating is bad

A guarantor is someone who agrees they will pay your rent if you don't/can't. They will then be the one credit checked instead of your partner. So this may well be hard to find - maybe a parent?