Do any estate agents accept renters on DMP?

skintandscared_2

Hi,

I wondered if anyone could give me some advice please - I'm panicking!!

We have been renting our flat for 2.5 years and have never missed a rent payment or got behind with any essential/utility bills. We literally are MODEL tenants - have decorated and fixed any leaky taps, etc, ourselves. We haven't given our landlord a moment's worry.

BUT a year ago I entered into a debt management plan for credit cards and a loan, and there is still a long way to go to pay it all off.

We were told today that our landlord wishes to sell the property we rent, so we have 2 months to find somewhere else.

Obviously I passed the credit check 2.5 years ago when we moved in here, but I know I wouldn't pass one now. But like I say, we have never missed a rent payment and my employment is very steady (17 years at the same City firm).

For info, my partner is self-employed and his work history is very erratic due to mental health problems. He has never had more than a cashpoint card and has no credit history whatsoever, so there's no point in him having a credit check either!

Is it even worth me approaching agencies other than the one we are with, telling them up-front that I am on a DMP and would not pass a credit check, but we could provide a perfect reference as long-standing tenants? If we stay with the same agents, are they likely to do a new credit check? Or is our only option to try and find a new private landlord who won't do a credit check? All the private ads in this week's paper seem to be for house-shares, which we really don't want.

I'm devastated ... I love this flat and could really do without this just before Christmas!! We have 8 weeks to find a new home and I don't know where to start!!!

Thanks in advance for ANY advice anyone has!!

skintandscared_2

Anyone?? Please!!!???? I'm in such a panic we won't be able to get another place to rent. What should I do?!

bobby-boy_2

You could refuse to move. Probably not what you want to hear but its a fact, if you don't leave at the end of your notice period the landlord will have to take you to court etc. This would give you more time BUT ruin any chance of getting a good reference from your Landlord. Either way its a hard decision.

I would speak to the agents and see if they can provide you with alternative accommodation as you say you have a track record with them.

Speak with the landlord as the property might not sell straight away and he may give you more time to move.

It would probably be best to tell anyone that wants to run a credit check that you will fail as it will save you time and money and demonstrate that you are upfront and honest.

You can also contact your local housing authority (The council) and tell them you are being made homeless through no fault of your own and they are duty bound to help you. There are a few threads here about going into temp accommodation till they find you a better permanent accommodation.
Hope it works out for you.

skintandscared_2

Thank you bobby-boy. Really appreciate the tips. I think I would prefer not to cause the landlord any problems and still keep a good reference as we've definitely earned it. Our financial situation is not so dire that we can't afford a decent rent, it's just finding someone who will give us that opportunity.

bobby-boy_2

Hi Skint

Probably the best bet of getting a place without a credit check is dirent to a private landlord who might ask for 6 months rent up front .

Shelter website has good advice as well
Good luck.

DawnW

Has your landlord issued you with a proper Section 21 notice? Just checking as you said your LL had 'told you'. It needs to be a proper notice issued at the proper time.

Have you thought of asking your LL for a written reference that you could show prospective LLs / LAs? Or if he or she knows anyone who has a vacant property and could recommend you to the owner? These are both very reasonable requests in the circumstances, and may help.

Good luck.

david29dpo

Good references with be worth there weight in gold, I have had bad tenants with glowing credit checks

poppysarah

skintandscared wrote: »

Anyone?? Please!!!???? I'm in such a panic we won't be able to get another place to rent. What should I do?!

Ring council see if they have a list of landlords.

theartfullodger

And ask council/CaB/Local Shelter
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_services_directory

if they know about any "Rent Deposit Guarantee" schemes (not all LLs accept them) and do they each have their own lists of "tame" LLs or letting agents that may accept people in your position.

Be upfront & open with the agents & Landlords and you'll get a better response (IMHO) than if you hide the problem & they find out when taking up references...

Hope it works out.

Cheers!

Lodger

pawpurrs

I am sure you will be fine with some good referneces, and a history of paying your rent on time, first stop see if your LL knows any one that may have somewhere they want to rent, second stop the letting agent, and third stop other private rentals.

skintandscared_2

Thanks for all your helpful replies. We have not officially been "served" with anything, merely had a phone call from the letting agents. But I'm sure the written notice is in the post as they are pretty efficient at stuff like that. I have absolutely no idea who the owner of the property is - everything has been done through the letting agents.

I think I will contact the letting agents and explain our situation. I would much rather be honest and maybe pay a slightly higher deposit than be panicking at the results of a credit check.

I have seen lots of properties in our area for rent, which are actually nicer than where we currently live, and the monthly rent is cheaper! I have no CCJ's and have paid every DMP payment on the dot - ditto with rent and all utility bills. We have even decorated the inside of the flat and made small repairs like leaking taps ourselves, at our own cost. A landlord would be very hard pressed to find better tenants!