Renting through a lettings agent with no credit history?

ev_er

Hi all!

I'm currently in my last year of university, and got a graduate job lined up in the Reading area starting once I'm done with uni.

I'll be moving down to the area, and thinking of renting a one bed flat through a lettings agent.

The problem is that I'm a EU national, and only moved to the UK a few years ago for uni, meaning I don't have any actual credit history (no credit cards, no phone contracts, etc.)

I wouldn't have any trouble getting references from uni accommodation that I've payed all my rent, or a reference letter from my future employer, or bank statements of the past 3 months or more.

So just wondering would that be enough? Or would having no credit history, and not being able to provide a guarantor as my parents still live in my home country be a problem?

Thank you!

BitterAndTwisted

What a lot of agents will be looking at is affordability if you don't have any credit-history. They might want to see you pay several month's of rent in advance as well.

The best thing to do is visit an agent or two and be absolutely candid about your circumstances and see what they say. Or be having a think about going into a flat or house-share for the first six months or so.

ev_er

Thank you for your advice - I'll make sure to go to talk to some lettings agents and see what they say!

Do you think it would help at all if I printed out my credit report and showed it to them (even though there isn't much to show on it) to prove that I don't have any debts etc?

Fire_Fox

Take out a cheap SIM only phone contract, £5 a month or suchlike, or apply for a credit card, use it for something small and pay it off each month. Check you are on the electoral roll, all bank statements going to the same address, name on at least one household bill if possible (council tax, even if you don't actually actually pay it?).

Then offer either a guarantor or six months rent up front. Shared house/ flat/ lodger initially would be easier that a flat via a letting agent. You will find it easier with letting agents six months in when you have payslips to show.

BitterAndTwisted

ev_er wrote: »

Do you think it would help at all if I printed out my credit report and showed it to them (even though there isn't much to show on it) to prove that I don't have any debts etc?

No, it wouldn't. Most agents can get these sorts of reports for about a tenner each. Which they are quite keen on charging prospective tenants about fifty quid for and it's all part of their income-stream

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

I've let to people in a similar situation and have generally gone for a 6 month let payable up front, with review dependent on how they got on. It is possible for a landlord to get insurance (against you not paying) at an extra cost and you may be able to offer an increased rent.

Your Uni accomodation would be helpful. Were I the landlord, I'd want to look at this, your job offer and your bank statements. Some of it is about how much you can afford, some of it is about seeing how you live within your means

I'd be open with the agents, and look for someone who is willing to be a little bit flexible (and I don't own any in Reading, before you ask!)

Good luck

gfplux

If you have had a UK Bank account during your time at Uni then visit them and ask for a credit card from them. If you have managed this account properly they should look on your request favourably.
If you have not had a UK account you better get one quickly.
My daughter is studying in the UK and although we want her to return home to Luxembourg at the end of her study's I have encouraged her to build a good credit history just in case.