Agents declined our application advice please

11 replies

itsnotallrainbows · 23/10/2019 21:56

It’s a long story so I will try and keep in short and simple. We currently rent private and are looking for a bigger house. We found one we loved and no deposit bonus!
All they asked for was one week rent to stop other people viewing the property so we paid that. ( however throughout the time the property was still listed as available)
We fill out the forms in, I paid for a premium credit check to make sure everything was clear and it was and I had a good credit score bonus!
I did have a dro in 2013 but it said it had gone from my account so on the form I selected no for ccjs etc etc.
Our current landlord gave us a such a good reference! And everything was fine.
Until today... they rang and said it had been declined because of my dro :( I explained I did all the checks and it wasn’t on there and I honestly thought this was true but because I didn’t declare it it’s been declined. Even worst they won’t refund the first week rent because I didn’t declare.
We have spoke to our landlord who is happy for us to stay but obviously he’s not happy as we want to leave at some point.
Is it worth asking if we could still be considered for new property or am I wasting my breath?
It was a general mistake and I would of put it down if I thought it was still on my credit file but as far as I was aware it was wiped :(

OP posts:

Surfskatefamily · 23/10/2019 22:01

Did you do a search on Equifax or Experian? Sometimes things show on one even if not the other.
It could be possible they used the other service to you and the dro was still there

Surfskatefamily · 23/10/2019 22:03

Also with any form of bankruptcy such as bankruptcy iva or dro there is an insolvency register that can be checked. I've never heard of agents using it but mortgage companies maybe.
The details of insolvency stay there indefinitely so you are best disclosing it in all cases

howrudeforme · 23/10/2019 22:03

What’s dro?

ChicCauldron · 23/10/2019 22:12

Check on the Insolvency Service’s Individual Insolvency Register to see if it is still on, I think you may have miscalculated the length of time that it would be active or viewable. I would declare it next time.

CrazyCatLady159 · 23/10/2019 22:14

The DRO stays on your file for 6 years from the date you applied.
You then get sent a discharge letter stating it has been discharged - if you haven't received this you will need to call the DR company.

I had this; they didn't mark it as satisfied on my credit file so it was still impacting me 6+ years until I called them etc

Original poster

itsnotallrainbows · 23/10/2019 22:37

Is it worth trying to ask if we could still be considered or am I wasting my time do you think?

OP posts:

LuvMyBubbles · 23/10/2019 22:40

Worth trying. Can you offer advance rent?

sakura06 · 23/10/2019 22:51

Helpful advice here on the Shelter link below. Sadly says you can lose your holding deposit if you mislead the agent though 😞 However a DRO should only be on file for 6 years so you might need to get some help and advice from Step Change or CAB or similar.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing advice/tenancyydeposits/holdingdeposits

Original poster

itsnotallrainbows · 23/10/2019 22:54

Thank you everyone

OP posts:

switcharoo · 23/10/2019 23:06

Can you get a guarantor?

mencken · 24/10/2019 12:57

you paid a holding deposit which is one of the few tenant fees now allowed in England. And I'm afraid that it is not refundable if you with-hold information, which you did albeit unknowingly.

I don't see why you shouldn't be considered for a new property but before you put down another holding deposit, you'll need to contact the prospective landlord to see if they can take you on. A guarantor may be the answer as many landlords won't be able to get rent guarantee cover for you otherwise, and that's an essential for any landlord not made of money.

Flip