Advice from Landlords needed.

CornishWildFlower

Hi all,

Quick query! I'm hoping to rent a house on a private estate, apart from the fact that it's really beautiful (former Gatehouse) it would solve all of our problems in that, being part of a private manor house estate, there are no plans to sell it ever. Therefore giving the children as much of a childhood in the same home as can ever be expected with renting without the need to uproot them every 2/3 years.

Anyhow, I have an old default on my file (which experian have kindly rated as very poor btw:p) and my husband the same which relate to when I was made redundant in 2005 and things got very difficult. No late payments, CCJ's, gone away notices or anything like that. I'm a bit unsettled about the credit checks on us both though, not sure why, we've been credit checked by two letting agents in the last 5 years and passed. Perhaps because this property means a lot to me, it's also being managed by an estate management company rather than a letting agents.

My question is this, I recall seeing a post by the Experian rep on here saying that landlords and letting agents etc. only have access to public information i.e. CCjs etc. however, on reading some of the threads it appears that some can and do see defaults. Which is the case?

Have always paid the rent on time and always maintained good relations with landlords, neighbours etc.

Thanks.

Werdnal

Not sure about what info they would check - depends on the agencies they use and how involved a check they do, as some go deeper than others. As a private LL myself, I would not just reject a tenant on the face of a credit check alone, as we all get an occasional blip in our personal finances, and I prefer to build up a whole picture of the tenant(s), so seek character reference, work reference and previous LLs opinions too. Have they asked you for references from previous LLs etc? I would give contact details for all previous LLs that you can (not just your last one), and reasons why you left each property, so they can see you moved on for the right reasons and not through any fault of your own.

However, if you are asked outright whether you have any previous financial issues to declare, I would be honest, and not try to hide something which may come to light later and make you look suspicious. Giving all the info upfront, makes you appear more honest and trustworthy, even if there are a few things you might not like to admit.

By the way I am in Cornwall too - aren't we lucky to live in such a beautiful place, especially on a day like this!

Good Luck with your new home!

CornishWildFlower

Hi,

Aren't we just! It's glorious here. I'm not planning on witholding any information, I'd just prefer it didn't come up at all, naturally

Have filled out all their forms on which they asked for previous landlords, personal and work refs etc. It's just a bit of an odd one, given that it's part of an estate they're putting it out to tender and invite a bid on their guide price, they'll then gather together the top three applicants and put them forward for an interview with the landlord.....who lives in the big house. The lady who lives there now told us that people have come from all over, even as far away as Wolverhampton, so I'm worried that the competition is perhaps too strong for us. I'd be so sorry to lose it as I've really been hoping that we could finally find somewhere semi-permanent for the children to grow up.

I'd just really bought into what the Experian rep said about LLs and agents not being able to see credit info, so wasn't too worried until I saw some threads on here which suggest that they do.

Werdnal

You never know, they might give "locals" a priority, especially if the shortlist is a close run thing.;)

gingertips

if you agree as part of the credit check process that they can have access to your credit file, then depending on which company they use (usually one of four like Experian) then yes they will have access to how creditworthy you are.

Wouldnt worry unduly - main thing is no CCJs. Was there something that came up on your experian report? such as numerous unpaid warnings? miss a monthly payment & that generally has alarm bells ringing - which is why its so important you dont miss payments!!!

gingertips

Werdnal wrote: »

You never know, they might give "locals" a priority, especially if the shortlist is a close run thing.;)

it all sounds like its down to the lady liking you at the interview, rather than your credit history, so make sure you come across model tenant and neighbour - thats what will swing it ive no doubt!

good luck!