How to rent with bad credit

[kiana2015]

Unfortunately, young and stupid I have built up a lot of bad credit, including ccj's. I currently renting private and have never missed a payment, the issue is my place is just too small for me now as I have a baby. I haven't been through a renting agency in years and that was with my was who has immaculate credit. Is it completely impossible to rent somewhere with bad credit and ccj's? Guarantors aren't an option

Can't see that you would be taken on by an agency with a bad credit history and no guarantors. Put yourself in a landlords place. It's not worth the risk. You could ask your current landlord if they have any other properties available. Or ask them to provide a reference which might help.

I agree with PP see if your landlord has another place.

I don’t see you being looked at favourably by an agency unfortunately.

I think it would depend in part on how competitive the local rental market is. How long will it be before the CCJs fall off your credit history? This is 6 years from date of judgement. When was the last default? These also stay on your credit report for 6 years. If you're not long off having better credit I'd probably wait untill then.

I always wonder this to be honest. I know that’s no help to you specifically but I genuinely don’t know what people do if they have bad credit as letting agents are pretty stringent.

I was in this position some 10 years ago when I got divorced. A few ccjs and divorce costs forced me to go through bankruptcy. I saved like crazy and had to put 6 months rent plus deposit upfront to rent my house.