renting through agency: how low a credit score is accepted?

Wiggynut

Hi all

I have to find somewhere to live very quickly (week!) and I did find somewhere but they do a credit check and I've just checked my credit details online and it says I only have one star and a score of 543.

if I pay £145 to the agency and then it's a no I will lose that money obviously and I'd prefer not to lose that as I will still have to move out and i need to find deposit and months rent. (I've noticed a lot of places charge 6 weeks deposit now!)

I have rented in the past to private landlords and some have been awful... inventing bills despite the rent being inclusive, landlords coming in my room at 1am in the morning while I'm in bed etc. so I would prefer something a bit more safe but I'm thinking that I can't go down the agency route if they check my credit rating.

the agency said I could pay a further £35 for a guarantor - which whilst being embarrassing (I've paid for myself since I was 15 and have never had anyone help me out and I'm now mid thirties so this is very bad and I'm very disappointed in myself) I could ask my brother (I've just found him through the internet as I have no contact with my family since young) but he is secure in financial history but does live abroad (France) so I don't know if that counts as being a guarantor or do they have to be in the UK. (he doesn't pay anything himself as I've always paid my rent on time and never been late etc)

(the bad credit is due to a credit card add £500 to my account and they refused to tell me why... after two years fighting and continuing to pay them I went the reclaim of charges route through this website which did work (didn't get all my extra payments back though but relieved to get rid of it) and this is comes up as defaulted for two years despite paying them ever month!!!

I've just found out that I'm not on the council tax either which is annoying as I applied years ago. My rent is included of any council tax but as it's through a friend who has no turned the other way (she has huuuuuge debts) also, my last home I rented was the same but the landlord never gave me a tenancy agreement despite asking... I moved eventually! but still worried that it looks like I haven't paid for a couple of years despite handing over money for that!!!

as you can see I'm in a pickle... I'm fed up with feeling its' my own fault but if a landlord agrees to something and then doesn't do it how can I change that? and a friend who I've helped out so much has now turned and again I'm paying for it... I'm really depressed over all this as I have to continue to put my life/home in other peoples hands all the time and that wont change either as I can't possibly buy a place (only ever earned a v low amount and now a student too - I have no debts though)

has anyone else who has a low credit score been accepted by an agency (the rent is £480 per month inclusive - 6 weeks deposit)
with my student loans (£8,000 per year - I'm mature student living in London) and I earned part time wages of 7,000 most of which is before starting the 1st year in September ) so I can afford the place but if it's based on credit checks am I doomed to lose £145????

sorry for waffling... I need some clear heads to help me think 'cos I'm just panicking which is generally a useless state to be in!

jojo9239

Hi there

I had an ok credit rating (799) and my boyf is a student and we had to get a guarentor but we never had to pay to have one? Also they do have to live within the uk and have a mortgage. I would maybe have a word with the letting agency and explain you circumstances ??

Get on the electrol roll!! Its amazing how much that can affect your rating even if you have good credit you can get refused if your not on the electrol roll (if thats what you mean by not registered with council)

xx

Wiggynut

jojo9239 wrote: »

Hi there

I had an ok credit rating (799) and my boyf is a student and we had to get a guarentor but we never had to pay to have one? Also they do have to live within the uk and have a mortgage. I would maybe have a word with the letting agency and explain you circumstances ??

Get on the electrol roll!! Its amazing how much that can affect your rating even if you have good credit you can get refused if your not on the electrol roll (if thats what you mean by not registered with council)

xx

Thanks for your help.
so did your agency do a credit check or did you just get a guarantor first?
most people I know rent and don't have a mortgage... not sure I want to ask my boss at work (v small company and work from her home) and the only other person with a house I've only known for year.

I'm not totally sure if I'm already on the electoral role - I'll have to check.. .not sure how to do that but I'll have a google.
I meant the council tax - been paying jointly for it in the shared flat but for some reason I'm not on it now? I might get billed for a years council tax???? eek!

jojo9239

No i had to get a guarentor straight away as my boyf was a student even though i clear £1500 a month in wages they still wanted one. They do ask for detailed info off the guarentor such as wage slips and proof of mortgage.

I would speak to agents explain that u dont know anyone with a house x

Wiggynut

jojo9239 wrote: »

No i had to get a guarentor straight away as my boyf was a student even though i clear £1500 a month in wages they still wanted one. They do ask for detailed info off the guarentor such as wage slips and proof of mortgage.

I would speak to agents explain that u dont know anyone with a house x

blimey - did you rent somewhere expensive?
I wonder if it's based on the rent being paid - if I did go through this agent then the rent would be £485 per month - you'd think that's easier to afford than a flat for two! (it's basically for a room and share everything else, kitchen, bathroom) but I'm not sure if that's how their credit ref company works!