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Original poster

letting a flat: why would only one tenant in a couple want to be reference checked?

23 replies

MamaChris · 01/12/2008 16:59

We've found a couple who want to let my old flat (this is the first time we've let anything, so total beginners). They've spent the weekend haggling over price, furnishings and number of weeks deposit required. Now they say only one of them wants to be on the tenancy and be reference checked by the agency as the other has no credit history (not a negative history, just no history). This makes us nervous. Should we insist both get checked or is this normal practice?

OP posts:

GinghamRibbon · 01/12/2008 17:02

Perhaps the other one has debts that have piled up and doesn't want you to know.

But make sure your tenancy agreement reflects that A is solely responsible for the payment of the rent and I am not sure how but get a solicitor to draw up the tenancy with regards to the one who isn't on the agreement.

Original poster

MamaChris · 01/12/2008 17:04

that's my fear too. can we arrange any tenancy with someone who isn't paying us money?

OP posts:

littlelamb · 01/12/2008 17:05

Don't do it. Insist that anyone who lives there is on the tenancy and that all those named have to be credit checked. If they then default on the rent you should be pretected on your insurance. If you didnt credit check them you will be stuck. It could be as simple as them not wanting to pay for a second credit check but I'd err on the side of caution tbh

GinghamRibbon · 01/12/2008 17:06

Ok, I would go with LL's post.

littlelamb · 01/12/2008 17:07

And don't fall for the 'no credit history' line. The credit check will be a check that they are who they say they are, are employed and are able to afford the rent.

Original poster

MamaChris · 01/12/2008 17:10

that's what my instinct said, ll. but the agent said "oh, this is just the way some tenants like to do it" and I wanted to check whether he was right. would rather be safe and lose tenants than end up with problem ones!

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WhatFreshHellIsThis · 01/12/2008 17:11

When we rented our current place I couldn't be credit checked as my job wasn't a permanent one, and the lettings agents said I would fail it. Luckily DP's income was just enough to pass.

They checked DP but listed me on the contract as a person permitted to reside at the property but only while DP was residing there - I have no tenancy rights of my own. So if he gets chucked out for not paying or any other reason then I'm out on my ear too, iyswim.

So you could do something like that, but I would ask yourself why they won't have both of them checked and if they've been haggling like mad, whether they're going to be troublesome tenants. You also need to get someone professional to draw up a contract like that, don't try and do it yourself.

littlelamb · 01/12/2008 17:12

God, if it is an agency saying that I'd be tempted to get rid of the agent as well tbh (I used to be a lettings agent). They are there to protect you, and by the sounds of it are just desperate to get the deal done. DO NOT let anyone in without a credit check. If you are desperate for tenants then maybe see if they will drop the credit check fee for the second tenant? From the mamy cases I have seen in my time anyone who reuests no credit check has something they are not being entirely honest about tbh.

Blinglovin · 01/12/2008 17:13

Mmm... both me and Dp had to be credit checked but as he wasn't earning any money at the time, i am clearly marked as the person responsible for the rent. If he's living there full time, you have the right to check who he is.

Having said that, she could have claimed to be living their alone, and as long as her salary was sufficient to pay the credit check, she could have moved in, with him, and you'd never have been the wiser.

WhatFreshHellIsThis · 01/12/2008 17:13

Just wanted to add - I didn't refuse to be checked - I would be very interested in why they won't be checked. As LL says, no credit history is bolleaux.

Jux · 01/12/2008 17:13

Go with LL.

Original poster

MamaChris · 01/12/2008 17:16

thanks for that WFHIT. they both work for the same company, so should have same contracts. we are using a letting agent, so hope he'd be able to draw up the correct contract.

like you, am worrying that they're going to be trouble once they're in, as already the agent has said they're p*ssing him off with their repeated phonecalls.

OP posts:

Upwind · 01/12/2008 17:19

There should be an explanation for "no credit history" - e.g. has lived in Canada until recently.

I would want to know why this might be and would insist on a credit check.

PerkinWarbeck · 01/12/2008 17:24

as a tenant myself, I wonder if the agents charge an extortionate fee per person for checking. Ours did - £160 per person. if we could have got away with just one check (which since I don't work wouldn't be unreasonable) then we would have done so, as thst is a lot of money to us.

LadyMuck · 01/12/2008 17:27

I've not wanted to be checked in the past. It is a faff making sure that the right person responds especially when when it is an employment check. Can't see the reason for refusing a credit check though. When I last rented I avoided getting refs by paying 6 months rent in advance.

squiffy · 01/12/2008 17:29

Not foxtons you are letting it through, is it?

Original poster

MamaChris · 01/12/2008 17:31

no squiffy! a local agent, family run, well established, that we thought (hoped!) were trustworthy.

I'll check if that's the case, PW . if so,then the agent needs to agree to a reduced fee for the second check if he wants to let the place. but it's not the reason she gave.

and with 6 months rent in advance, we'd be fine too, PW

the only reason she gave, Upwind, is that she's young and the bills have always been in his name.

OP posts:

navyeyelasH · 02/12/2008 12:57

We are renting and as my parenters salary covers the rent we asked if I could not be credit checked. A) to save the £200 fee b) to speed up the process as DP credit check takes 2 secs mine is complex as am self employed c)I didn't want the check footprint on my credit file as was having issues with ID fraud at the time.

I don't see why it's an issue; if one of them is solely responsible for the rent and both of them can get evicted if one doesn't pay what's the harm?

Ewe · 02/12/2008 13:07

I am the only person on my tenancy agreement despite DP living here. The reason for it is that when I moved in we had a place in London that DP was on the tenancy agreement for and my place that I was on. It seemed pointless having us both on both.

I don't have a credit history either by the way, I have never borrowed so my credit rating is not good as I have no proven borrowing/paying back. I didn't go on a tenancy agreement a few years ago due to this.

There is not necessarily anything wrong with this and surely the alternative is the main tenant taking the property and then just unofficially moving his girlfriend in. Personally don't see the problem here.

lalalonglegs · 02/12/2008 13:45

I would be very especially as they seem to be seasoned negotiators which, implies to me, they seem quite savvy. Only having one person on the tenancy is very risky if that person ups and runs and you have the other half still there but refusing to leave. I, personally, would run because even with "no credit history" , they should provide a guarantor.

kiwibella · 02/12/2008 15:24

I thought the same PW... when we looked at renting a place once the agent offered to only ref check my husband because of the expense of checking two.

If you think that could be the reason, can the agent drop the fee for the second person but still conduct the check?

Original poster

MamaChris · 03/12/2008 18:36

thanks for suggesting reasonable explanations for their resistance to both being checked. we're new to this, and were worried by it. in the end we said we would only let it if they both were on the tenancy and checked, and they've agreed. so hopefully all will come back fine.

OP posts:

TheSeriousOne · 03/12/2008 18:40

Sorry if this has been covered, only read the first replies, but DH and I rented a place and only HE was referenced because I had no income...

Can say for SURE that happened to us. Rental agreement in both names but only him on the reference check.

I'm honestly not some sort of house trashing maniac! ?

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