Renting with bad credit?

[sarah8484]

Will estate agents allow you to rent a property with them if you have bad credit? I was struggling to keep up with my credit card payments so contacted a debt management company to help lower my payments. I never missed a payment or ignored my debt, not sure if that will help if I explain that to them? I know they do credit checks and just wondering Will this go against me with trying to rent privately with an estate agents.

When we applied for our last rental we were told as long as you disclose everything, had references and no CCJs it would be fine. I don't know if it varies by agent though

Private rent! I had horrendous credit due to exdp taking loans/cards out in my name and never paying them back. Joy.

Before I bought my house I searched Gumtree and local FB pages for private landlords, explained the situation and proved that I was working full time, how much I earned etc and it was fine. Much easier that way than going through estate agents, unless you’re on a tight timescale.

References only check for big stuff like CCJs, bankruptcies etc. You'll be fine.

Are you in a DMP? Sorry I think I misread, that might be an issue then. Are you in a position to offer a larger deposit if need be?

Estate agents only have access to your public information. This would include ccjs, debt relief orders, ivas or bankruptcy. They can’t see defaults or other debts. They wouldn’t see a DMP, that’s not public.

Sorry - I meant the referencing companies estate agents use.

They only check for defaults and CCJs, I had a v poor credit rating and had no issues renting 3 properties over the years all different agents.

If you fail the credit checks, they will probably ask for additional information and/or a guarantor.

Normally if there's nothing major (like a CCJ) you'll be fine so long as you have references and pass affordability (enough income, basically)