Would I get a tenancy if I have poor credit?

spinningsheep

Hi guys, hope someone can answer this for me. I currently rent a house with my friend from another one of our friends. The trouble is, she doesnt do anything we ask her to do maintainance wise ie we had a crack in a wall, we told her, she bought us some filler and a trowel!! So, we are kind of getting a bit sick of it. She says that she cannot address things like damp and crumbling plaster as she has not broken even on the initial investment on the property. We think this is unreasonable on her part, and so, to avoid conflict, and losing friendship, we are considering moving out when the tenancy expires next month. BUT! I have a less than perfect credit history, although I have paid the rent for the last year and my housemate has simply given me half, and I can prove that I have never even been late on a payment, let alone not paid, so would I be able to rent via an estate agent or letting agent?

I have seen private rented houses advertised in the local paper, but some say refs required, which I always thought meant literally references like a job,but I have been told my some others that this means a credit check. Eek Is it even worth trying? Or am I best staying put and putting up with the crumby landlady? I really love my house but I cannot stand the flaws any longer!

cheeny

Hi sheepdip
mmmmmm well mmmmmm
at the monent Id say you got it OK it could be a hell of lot worse.
Bad credit will be a struggle wi most landlords,
bear in mind though small private landlords may find it a big hassle to do credit check on people (it costs them money) bigger letting agents will check
also smaller landlords dont neccesarily dont mean credit check- they mean as in a job ref. Proof of earnings, a letter from a previos landlord, letter from an accountant if you have one, offering to pay a few months up front even.
I had a chap who credit rating which I paid for said I would be taking a chance (he was semi retired as well) but a letter from his bank manager stating he was a long standing customer with a regular good bank account,
letter from a previous let and the fact he offered six months up front to build trust I agreed (didnt hear from him for six months but then he paid on time every time) and too be honest if you meet the potential landlord and they like your face your half way there.
Any anyway it costs you nothing to try. it costs for a credit check and although getting credit checks done on you actually harms your credit, only the landlords who like your face and willing to take you on will do a check.
most will politely offer it to someone else and call saying you were un successfull.
hope this was of some help.
cheeny

pcwilkins

spinningsheep wrote: »

The trouble is, she doesnt do anything we ask her to do maintainance wise ie we had a crack in a wall, we told her, she bought us some filler and a trowel!!

What does the agreement say about maintenance? I would imagine she is responsible for getting it done. Refer to the agreement and also see http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3181.cfm#wipLive-17064-3.

So, we are kind of getting a bit sick of it. She says that she cannot address things like damp and crumbling plaster as she has not broken even on the initial investment on the property.

So she made a bad investment --- that doesn't absolve her from her responsibilities as a landlord. Damp is almost certainly her responsibility as long as you're not responsible for it (which you probably aren't). If the damp is really bad you should contact your local council's housing office who may be able to help you.

We think this is unreasonable on her part, and so, to avoid conflict, and losing friendship, we are considering moving out when the tenancy expires next month.

Not surprised. But be aware that landlords who try to wriggle out of their responsibilities are not at all uncommon. Finding a good landlord can be difficult.

BUT! I have a less than perfect credit history, although I have paid the rent for the last year and my housemate has simply given me half, and I can prove that I have never even been late on a payment, let alone not paid, so would I be able to rent via an estate agent or letting agent?

Depend what you mean by "less than perfect". You don't need a "perfect" credit history to rent a house but if your history is a disaster then you may have trouble. Different agents/landlords would have different policies on this --- but don't assume that just because your history isn't perfect you won't be able to rent.

I have seen private rented houses advertised in the local paper, but some say refs required, which I always thought meant literally references like a job,but I have been told my some others that this means a credit check.

Pretty much all landlords will carry out some kind of credit check so it would be best to be up-front about your past problems and tell them how you have recovered and learned from your mistakes. They will appreciate and respect honesty.

Some landlords/agents may ask for extra deposit to cover themselves against the perceived increased risk.

Eek Is it even worth trying?

Yes, definitely worth trying.

Or am I best staying put and putting up with the crumby landlady?

Depends how crumby she is! You should be able to put pressure on her to rectify the kind of thing you describe above.

I really love my house but I cannot stand the flaws any longer!

If the agreement states that the landlord is responsible to rectify these flaws then she is legally obliged to do it. A stiff letter quoting the relevant terms might do the trick --- keep a copy. If you are really happy in the house and the price is good then I would suggest sticking with her and seeing what you can do. You are perfectly within your rights to demand her attention, whether she can afford it or not. Perhaps state that either she does what she promised to do in the agreement or you negotiate a reduced rent.

Peter