Rental Nightmare....

NoMoreExcuses

Well, we have not yet lost the house to the repo company.

But - the useless letting agents are now asking for bank refs and credit checks. We have a healthy balance in there - whilst we wait to see the outcome, before we pay some massive bills, we also have the means in there to pay 3 months up front.

I suppose its pointless asking if this credit check is going to be our undoing?

We were advised by National Debt Line to rent privately - we wouldnt even be claiming benefits.

What do you do when you are in limbo land? Not eligable for benefits, but crap credit refs?

Where are we going to live?????

Richard_S

Hi NME,

You won’t know whether the credit check will be your undoing unless you either let the letting agent do the check or have a look at your credit file yourself, there are three agencies that tend to dominate; Experian, Equifax and Call Credit. They are obliged to supply them for a fee of £2 but that can take quite a long time or you can buy them on line by visiting the company’s individual websites.

Some agents will also entertain tenants with a bad credit history either by taking a bigger deposit, asking for six months rent in advance or asking for a guarantor who has earnings above a certain level.

What you do when you’re in limbo land is contact every estate or letting agent who have property in the area you want to live in and start working your way through them. I’m not talking without having experienced what you’re going through either. We had to start looking for a rented property after we’d both been declared bankrupt; it was a struggle but we eventually found somewhere suitable. Our breakthrough was an agent who’d let me write an accompanying letter to the landlord and leave him to make the decision. It was a lengthy letter with all sorts of reasons why we’d be good tenants but it’s surprising what you can put together when you’ve got your back against the wall.

Keep believing,

Richard

Guy_Montag

Try renting through the small ads - direct from a landlord, they may not bother with a credit check if you seem like a sensible, professional family - as a single bloke, I've never been credit checked & I'm bound to be higher risk. But do be (vaguely) honest if they ask why you're renting.

Also get your name onto the council list - I know there's no chance of you getting a council house, but (apparently) some housing associations won't consider you if you're not on it. Then start calling round housing associations.

Edited to add: Of course the dog might make it more difficult to find an appropriate place to live - you know what to do *sorry folks*

NoMoreExcuses

To be honest its the landlords first experience of letting a property. She has tried the "we have others waiting" after we paid a deposit.

She very much wants it all her way - I think she wants a rented property from someone that might just as well have a mortgage.

She has several agents all tied up in knots and even our letting agent said it was unusual.

Have been looking for somewhere even reasonably close, not a chance...let alone the poor dog (watch it Guy )

We said to the agent our house was being bought, which isnt true.

I think we might as well tell the truth - if she doesnt like it - well then, meant to be. Will try with the council now - makes me cross though, because some people cannot even work and are more deserving of council property than us. Nut we cant find anywhere for toffee.

Richard - can I carry you around in my pocket....like mini pocket guide to bankruptcy and other failures??

NoMoreExcuses

Guy - had a thought....Imagine if the landlords said no men? Would you tie it to a rock and throw it over the bridge? :rotfl:

Broken_hearted

It's a waiting game could you not talk to the lady direct and explain.

Richard_S

NoMoreExcuses wrote: »

To be honest its the landlords first experience of letting a property. She has tried the "we have others waiting" after we paid a deposit.

She very much wants it all her way - I think she wants a rented property from someone that might just as well have a mortgage.

She has several agents all tied up in knots and even our letting agent said it was unusual.

Have been looking for somewhere even reasonably close, not a chance...let alone the poor dog (watch it Guy )

We said to the agent our house was being bought, which isnt true.

I think we might as well tell the truth - if she doesnt like it - well then, meant to be. Will try with the council now - makes me cross though, because some people cannot even work and are more deserving of council property than us. Nut we cant find anywhere for toffee.

Richard - can I carry you around in my pocket....like mini pocket guide to bankruptcy and other failures??

Hi NME,

This could be your lucky break, if it's her first experience then she may well respond to a well written letter outlining why you would be the best tennants in the world. If there's nothing else suitable in the area I would chase her, without bing overly persistent, and try and get her to offer you the house without delay.

It sounds as though she a little eccentric so you might have to put up with her strange over the top behaviour; sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and grovel :eek:

I'll do a google search and see if I can find some "shrinking" tablets; quite a novel idea being carried around in somebody's pocket :rotfl: :rotfl:

EDIT: It's no good, I just can't resist saying it especially as Blind as a Bat's around; if I was pocket size then it'd be much more convenient to be just tucked into a stocking top :happyhear

NoMoreExcuses

How am I managing to smile at a time like this (checks to see if men in white coats are outside)...

ha hhhahahahha ha ha ha haahahaaaaaaaaah (me laughing like a maniac!)

Richard_S

I'm sorry NoMoreExcuses and Blind as a Bat,

The sun's shining, we're going out for a meal tonight and I still haven't recovered from Jessica Rabbit :j :j