Best way to approach letting agency if you have bad credit rating

gazfocus

I am looking to rent a house, however as I have a bad credit rating (6 defaults), I am wondering what would be the best way to approach a letting agency.

3 of the defaults are due to be removed from my credit file this year as they are nearly 6 years old.

Would you be upfront with the letting agency about your credit history, etc? Am I likely to find it difficult to rent, even if I have a guarantor in place?

The reason for asking is that I don't want to end up paying the application fees to then be turned down due to my credit rating, etc.

Scarlett.1974

Definitely be up front with them because they'll find out anyway when they credit check you.

We have a very bad credit rating (as bad as it can be) but we manage to get around this by paying our rent 6 montly in advance. If yours isn't *that* bad then you might find that a guarantor and / or maybe 3 months in advance is enough. Best to ask the LA once you find a house you like, because in my experience they all have slightly different requirements.

Good luck

gazfocus

Thanks, we have seen a house we like and are viewing it this week. I have a copy of all 3 credit files (although 2 of them still show a CCJ that was due to an admin error but Equifax have removed this).

I am planning to take the Equifax credit file with me to show the LA when we view the house - My fiance doesn't actually have a 'credit file' because she's never had credit.

I think my main concern is, as you say, being asked to pay 6 months rent up front - I did have to pay 6 months rent up front where I'm living now but we will never be able to afford that in the area we are looking in, but my fiances mother is prepared to be a guarantor so we're hoping that will be good enough for them.

clutton_2

be as honest and upfront as you can... landlords hate surprises when they follow up on credit checks and references.....