Private landlords doing credit checks

MercMan

Just viewed a property to let for 14 months for cash up front. I was surprised to say the least when they told me they will check for CCJs and I had to admit I had two. They didn't say "No" but would consider me letting and get back to me.

Since when have private landlords been to doing credit checks especially for cash up front renters! They also asked was I or ever been BR. I said no.

Again a surprise. I'm now concerned that when I do go BR I will get booted out. May have to try to avoid BR now.

What do bank references entail? Anyone know what they ask for?

Worried now! Such a lovely little bungalow, dog friendly too.

Cash_Waster

MercMan wrote: »

Just viewed a property to let for 14 months for cash up front. I was surprised to say the least when they told me they will check for CCJs and I had to admit I had two. They didn't say "No" but would consider me letting and get back to me.

Since when have private landlords been to doing credit checks especially for cash up front renters! They also asked was I or ever been BR. I said no.

Again a surprise. I'm now concerned that when I do go BR I will get booted out. May have to try to avoid BR now.

What do bank references entail? Anyone know what they ask for?

Worried now! Such a lovely little bungalow, dog friendly too.

Pick somewhere else, he doesn't sound friendly. There are enough people out there to rent from

maxmycardagain

have you paid any "admin fee"?.............

MercMan

No admin fee yet. If they say yes to me letting then it will be £75 non-returnable for references.

ladylumps45

did the owner give you their number?

MercMan

I got it off Gumtree. The owners live in the Midlands and use it as an investment.

MercMan

From what I gather he is 'looking after the property' for his friends! However I did notice all the paperwork had a limited company address. Perhaps not so private after all. He also asked if I had a Criminal Record! Never heard of a LL ask that before. The advert said private let.

BTW I'm renting as my ex is buying me out of our property.

stokegal

Hey Mercman

Like yourself I've been looking for a property to rent and have been shocked at the number of Private Landlords who are now credit checking especially when you're paying rent up front. I've met a few landlords who haven't been credit checking or asking for references but have been asking for a £75 - £150 "arrangement fee"

I stopped looking at properties through estate agents after the extortionate "arrangement fees", "credit check fees" and even "holding fees" - so nobody else will see the property (I think they've been watching a bit too much Kirsty and Phil)

Personally I'd walk away from the property now, if the Landlord is umm-ing and arr-ing now, what's he going to be like when the boiler breaks or toilet floods but I understand if you set your heart on a property it's not so easy to be cut and dry.
Stokegal

affluenza

Hello

Forgive me for saying this but have the landlords seen how many TO LET boards are up.

You are being taken for a ride especially 14 months worth of rent.

No way - find somewhere else.

If you are in Brum - send me a PM and I'll give you the name of someone who might be able to give you some better advice.

I can smell rats with this one and I would be very leery in the current climate to give someone if they are using it to pay a mortgage because you have no guarantee that they are not defaulting and you get less than 2 weeks notice before the bailiffs move you out.

There is also the possibility that these "landlords" you have visited are not actually the "landlords" but letting agents, I don't know the legality of all this but it might be some form of unregulated activity that may reduce your rights as a tennant.

So_Sad_Angel

MercMan wrote: »

Since when have private landlords been to doing credit checks especially for cash up front renters! They also asked was I or ever been BR. I said no.

Again a surprise. I'm now concerned that when I do go BR I will get booted out. May have to try to avoid BR now.

What do bank references entail? Anyone know what they ask for?

Worried now! Such a lovely little bungalow, dog friendly too.

To the best of my knowledge private landlords/individuals can`t do credit checks...unless they mean `status enquiries`...ie they get their bank to write to your Bank to ask `is mr/ms X good for £x` .....that will cost usually between £8 - £25 (thats what the Banks charge)....& basically isn`t worth the paper its written on.

Don`t part with any application fee unless you absolutely know how they are going to do a proper credit check (experian/equifax etc) on you. I was in the market for a rental last December & was even told by a private landlord that they threaten credit checks to make sure that potential tenants tell them the truth...when actually they don`t check at all!!!

Good luck .

Angiex

affluenza

SSA - I think there is the issue to come clean so to speak but the 14 months rent and the fact it is not their property has so many alarm bells ringing.