Estate Agent being unhelpful.

B..

So I applied for a house through a local estate agent yesterday. I've been looking for a long while now and this is the first one which ticks every single box for me.

Unfortunately I have a CCJ from Feb 2008 for the amount of £265. I didn't know I was getting one otherwise I would have paid it off. It was cleared around two months after it was issued and I have proof of settlement.

Anyway, I told her straight away and her attitude completely changed towards me, she handed all my paperwork back and said she would need to discuss with the landlord and that she would be in touch.

She's emailed me today and said that she has spoken to the landlord and he wants to hold fire with the application, as the property has only been up for rent for two weeks he would prefer someone with no CCJ's. She said she would be in touch again to let me know his final decision.

The agent doesn't manage the house in any way, they just find a suitable tenant and then the landlord takes over.

The problem for me is that since I told her about the CCJ she has been uninterested in anything I've said, I told her I would offer him a £1,000 deposit instead of the £650 he is asking, but she dismissed it saying 'I don't discuss that with him, he does all that'

Is there anything I can do at all? I have offered a home owner guarantor with perfect credit history and also a NHS professional for 13 years. I've also got 3 years proof of rent for the house I'm currently in and I've never once missed a payment in the near 6 years I've been here!

I don't know what else I can do? Should I offer a few months rent in advance? Am I entitled to ask her the details of the landlord so I can speak to him directly?

I'm going to be gutted if he turns around and says no, for a mistake I made well over 4 years ago! surely we all make mistakes at some point?

Thanks everyone.

terryw

Have you a certificate of satisfaction :
http://hmctsformfinder.direct.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/ex020-eng.pdf

B..

yes got certificate of satisfaction. Took it all with me yesterday but she just handed it me all back without even looking at it.

I'm fully aware that CCJ's reflect badly but it was only for a small amount and was cleared as soon as I found out I had it.

Fire_Fox

If you didn't know about the CCJ you could have applied for a set aside, tho I don't know if you can do that retrospectively. The amount of the CCJ is irrelevant, it suggests to them you are willing to let a debt go all the way to court (appreciate there may be extenuating circs). I'd be inclined not to tell agents just offer a guarantor and say you are willing/ able to pay three or six months rent up front.

B..

I've already told them as they were going to do a credit check through legal4landlords.com

I've sent her one last ditch attempt, but from what I can gather, she thinks people with CCJ's are scum, and I don't think she's made any attempt to explain to him my situation. Just that I have a CCJ.

harrup

B..... Send the landlord/ owner a nice letter. Delineating what you just stated here. I would add something along the lines of " whilst fully respecting his/ the EA's right to choose the most promising candidate, I am saddened that a past transgression which has long been addressed and fully rectified is held against me to the extent that my application is not even considered". Stress your willingness to pay a higher deposit and include all work & character references.

Don't send it via the EA but address it to him/ her personally. You can find the owners address via the Landregistry online search function - I believe you have to pay £ 4.00 to obtain those details.

Actually....thinking about it, send it to the LL and CC the EA. That way the EA realises they can't just blow you off afer which you slink back like a timid dog and give up.

It may or may not yield the desired outcome....but at least you REALLY tried. And you know....I know it's a clichè, but it is true all the same....the ONLY true failing in life is NOT really trying. So go for it knowing you gave it your best shot.

Good luck!

slopemaster

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I'd be inclined not to tell agents just offer a guarantor and say you are willing/ able to pay three or six months rent up front.

I disagree; don't think that's good advice.
I have just accepted tenants with a CCJ after v thorough checking - tho I wd obviously prefer tenants without, the fact that they wanted the place long-term went in their favour.
HOWEVER, I knew about the CCJ from the start. If something like this came up when it hadn't been mentioned, there would be absolutely no chance of my accepting them, because they would have tried to deceive. And the credit check fees/holding deposit would be lost.

slopemaster

What harrup said. ^

B..

harrup wrote: »

B..... Send the landlord/ owner a nice letter. Delineating what you just stated here. I would add something along the lines of " whilst fully respecting his/ the EA's right to choose the most promising candidate, I am saddened that a past transgression which has long been addressed and fully rectified is held against me to the extent that my application is not even considered". Stress your willingness to pay a higher deposit and include all work & character references.

Don't send it via the EA but address it to him/ her personally. You can find the owners address via the Landregistry online search function - I believe you have to pay £ 4.00 to obtain those details.

Actually....thinking about it, send it to the LL and CC the EA. That way the EA realises they can't just blow you off afer which you slink back like a timid dog and give up.

It may or may not yield the desired outcome....but at least you REALLY tried. And you know....I know it's a clichè, but it is true all the same....the ONLY true failing in life is NOT really trying. So go for it knowing you gave it your best shot.

Good luck!

Fantastic reply, thank you so much.

Going to draft up a letter now and get it sent off tomorrow!

B..

Just paid for the titled register, but the only address on it is the one which they are renting out. Do I need to send it there?

edit - I've got an account on 192.com, think I've got two credits left, should I use it to get their info, or leave it? as i've found the owners on there.

terryw

If the landlord does not live at the property then it is probably pointless sending the letter there. Using 192 is fraught with danger as you could be sending the letter simply to someone with the same name.

As an aside, it is really important to change your address with the Land Registry if you leave somewhere that you have lived yourself as apparently this landlord has. Any official notices will be sent to the address held by the Registry - this makes it easier for any fraudster if notices are not received by the owner..