Renting help please?

HopeAndDriftWood

Hello,
This is probably a very stupid question, but a search on google didnt seem to find anything useful.
Exactly what happens when i tell an agency i want to rent through them?
Reading some posts, some people have mentioned not having enough money to pass the credit check....since when did a credit check say how much money you have?
And references...if you've never lived anywhere but home, who gives them?

Sorry if i sound like an idiot. I found a flat I wanted, and went to view on Saturday, but it was given to the people who viewed before us. Am viewing another tomorrow, but have now become concerned ill get rejected. My nan has given me access to savings she was putting away for me, so i should have enough for the deposit/first months rent/admin fees. So if somebody could talk me through it, id really appreciate it.

(Oh, and i wouldn't be moving out if i didn't have too. I know about TV license, gas, water etc, but i have nowhere to stay right now, and i physically cant stay in hostels any longer. My boyfriends parents will help me if i get stuck, and i start my part time job next week, which will be an extra income, and i get LHA, too. I'm confident i can do it, or i wouldn't be trying. I don't give up easily, and ill work all night if i have too)

schueys_girl

Good for you for trying!

Ok firstly what you need to be careful of is if they will accept you if you get LHA. If you look at a lot of places at the bottom of the info it says no DSS sorry. So be careful there.

As for what happens when you find a flat etc.
1. Fill in application form.
2. Hand it in and pay credit check - these cost anywhere from £70 to £200 (i paid £200 for me and my fiance)
This check references your employer to verify your wages, and also your previous landlords. By the sounds of things you would need a guaranteor, someone to sign to say if you default on rent they pay.

3. If you pass credit check you will then need to pay your first months rent plus a deposit - the deposit can be anything from your first months rent + £10 to a hell of a lot more!

4. Then you get the keys!

So thats the process.

It might help if you do a SOA:

http://www.makesenseofcards.co.uk/soacalc.html

This outlines what you bring in, and all your expenditures, this will help you budget and give you an idea of how much you need.

Be careful you dont just rush in and pick somewhere not suitable - if you can try and get somewhere with gas central heating - my friends and family have told me electrib storage heaters can be a pain in the bum!

If you post a SOA i will help you out a bit more I am moving into a private rented place at the end of next week so we are budgeting hard! good luck x

HopeAndDriftWood

If i suggest paying 6 months upfront, because im on housing benefit and nervous about telling them that, even though it dosent say no dss on the advert, will i still have to pay the deposit, admin fees, etc?

Thanks

socrates

Do not pay 6 months rent up front - there are many reasons why you should not.

What you should do is speak to private sector housing at your Local Authority - they can put you in touch with landlords who are actively seeking to let to people who claim LHA. The advantage you have over most of the other tenants is that you have a months deposit and rent in advance.

Rather than using all your nans savings perhaps ask her to be a guarantor.

If you came to me as a prospective tenant and told me your story as you have done here and had the necessary finances and I was interested in LHA claimants you would stand an above average chance of getting one of my properties.

Remember if you start off on a straight road things will invariably go right for you.

Good luck!