Credit check before letting - what do they check for?

Honest_Doc

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a flat with my girlfriend but the letting agent wants to do a credit check. My g/f's rating is fine but I have a bunch of debt issues. What exactly do they check for and is there anything that will result in an immediate refusal on the deal?

I have the cash to give all my portion of the rent for the life of the tenancy agreement up front, is this an acceptable alternative to a credit check or will the offer make them suspicious of me/even less likely to rent?

Cheers. Any advice or comment is welcome.

clutton_2

as a LL i am doing checks to verify that all the information you have provided on your tenancy application form checks out... that you have not told any lies...

i dont like surprises ....

i have had several prospective tenants tell me ahead of time that they have had CCJs, and the amount and what it was for, and i have taken most on trust... some i have refused ... some i have asked for a working guarantor... some i buy rental insurance for... Some other landlords will accept 6 months rent upfront.. but i think that has its dangers for tenants if the LL goes bankrupt...

Rent in advance is never an alternative to credit checks for me.... i want to know what sort of folks are living in my expensive assets...

My best advice... be upfront - be honest... take documents to prove the information on the form...

good luck

Sammy85_2

I do credit checks to make sure you havent told any porkies on your application form. As long as you've been honest and im satisfied you can pay the rent i dont usually bother with what the credit report says.