Renting first property

nick_paddock653

I am moving to Newcastle from London very shortly and my girlfriend has been lucky enough to get a job at the first time of asking meaning we are looking to rent somewhere together.

It is our first time and I am concerned about the credit checks that will probably need to be carried out. I dont think i have any reason to have a bad credit rating. I defaulted on a mobile phone account about 8 years ago but recently (last 3 years at least) my finances have been in good order. My last two credit applications were for a three mobile broadband contract (about 2 years ago) and more recently (4 months ago) an O2 phone contract which went through fine. Does this bode well for an impending tenancy application?

As we are applying together, will that be a credit check for us as a couple or individually? What options will be open if we fail which fingers crossed we wont such as guarantors etc.? Failure isnt really an option as we need a home as my GF starts work in just under 4 weeks!

Any help and advice will be much appreciated.

jamie11

I don't think you will have a problem, the default was more than 6 years ago so that will have been wiped off your record. Having a guarantor will always help, but they should be a home owner with a good record themselves. Guarantees should always be signed as a deed (witnessed) and the guarantor must read the agreement he is guaranteeing before signing it, check the small print. If there is anything you don't like then negotiate.

theartfullodger

Suggest you both get copies of your credit info from Experian , Equifax etc to see what is actually on file first, and if anything incorrect is there you can (I understand ) get it removed...

Hope the move to London works out!

nick_paddock653

thanks for the advice. Maybe I am worrying unduly but I just want everything to work out without any problems! I cant see any logical reason why I wouldnt be accepted. Surely if my credit was that bad I wouldnt have been able to get contract broadband and mobile phone?

I dont know!