No explanation or refund if credit check failed - is this legal?

okay79

Agencies are asking me to sign reference / credit check forms that state they will give no explanation or refund if the check is failed. This seems to give the agencies a free hand to exploit the process and I'm sure I've read about people being charged for checks on lettings that weren't even available.

Is it true that I have no right to ask for an explanation if I'm refused? And even if I did receive one, is there any practical way I or an independent party could verify the claims made by the agency?

Thanks,

Okay79

clutton_2

you can ask for a copy of the credit checked material they uncover... and no they dont have to give you an explanation as to why they are not offereing you a property

if you did not like those terms and conditions you were at liberty to go to a different agent - by paying the fee you have implicitly agreed to the conditions

Fire_Fox

Since you paid for the credit check and it relates to you alone, I don't see why you couldn't formally request a copy of the file held on you by the letting agency, under data protection or freedom of information or whatever it is.

Having said that, the easiest thing to do is probably to check the information held by all three credit reference agencies is accurate well in advance of you paying the letting agent to do the same. You should know whether work and previous landlord references will come up clean!