Estate agents and renting - will I be accepted?

[Mynameisgeoff]

Hi all, I was wondering if I could get some opinions or advice to what I can do to make myself more appealing to estate agents!

I work full-time, earning 30k. I'm 29 with 2 children, ages 13 and 9 - same sex. I'm currently in a 2-bed house, which I have lived in for 12 years. It's really too small now and my children need their own room desperately. Especially my 13-year-old. Also, my landlord is moving abroad and selling his properties; he has given me 6 months' notice.

I have found a house which is perfect. It does need decorating and things, but I can do all this myself. It's with estate agents, and I'm a bit concerned. I have a ccj - I got this after I left their father, and I had a few struggles. I know they do credit checks, and this could fail me, and I totally understand. I am working on my credit, and it has improved.

I'm just wondering if any of these things would help me. I have a 12-year reference off my current landlord; I've never missed rent payments and have always looked after the property. I have £2000 to put up front - the rent/deposit is 1400, so the extra 600 is just to hopefully make it a little better for me regarding acceptance. I also have my brother standing by for guarantor; he's a business owner and a home owner.

I just don't want to waste money going for the property if I have little chance of being accepted. Council property is not an option here; they have told me I'd be moved to a bedsit if I'm homeless or I'd be in temp accommodation that could be far away from my job and school. There are no council homes available - I really want to avoid this.

Thank you for any advice!

You won't be wasting money by going for the property. In my experience as long as you are open and honest about your situation with the letting agents then that really helps. But it's ultimately down to the landlord and whether they are happy renting to you. But you're making inroads into paying the CCJ off which is something in your favour, and having a guarantor is a really good bonus.

I don't want to say you'll be fine because it's not a cast iron set of rules, but as long as you can demonstrate affordability and you have the other references then you're in really good shape!

Good luck

I let a flat and have had tenants that hit some kind of criteria that means they’re flagged. I’ve accepted some and not others. For me, I’ve accepted those that were open and honest and offered some kind of extra security (one offered to pay up front, one had a guarantor). I’d be far more interested in your 12 year reference and that would stand you in good stead - it shows stability.

We’ll done for sorting your credit out. I’m not sure what the situation currently is, but it used to be that these would come off your file after 6 years.

CCJs get taken off your record after 6 years don't they? I would also think your 12 year record with your current landlord will stand you in good stead.

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

It's due off my file in around 2 years. I'm paying it off in full next month as I just want it settled, but I have been paying an amount off each month. I'm going to be honest; I didn't pay much attention to my credit file up until a few years ago. So, I have been working on it, and I check it weekly now and see what I can improve on. I think it will make a huge improvement when it goes off my file.

It's made me feel a lot more confident that you mention the 12-year reference, well it will be 13 years next month! I've never had any issues at all and have always been a good tenant. I'm going to be honest and upfront with estate agents - they want a week's rent in advance - holding deposit they called it. Then, I pay the month upfront/deposit once I'm accepted. Does this sound about right? I thought I'd lose the holding deposit of I failed the checks! I'll need to clarify it with them.

I would ask them to check with the landlord first before paying the holding deposit. They can find out if the landlord will accept given your situation. I've been through this and it's rubbish!