Renting with a partner. Can I rent in my name only?

Chasabi

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend and I are looking for a place to rent. We have a concern that she will not pass the credit check and we will be refused.

Last month she applied for a new bank account. It was one of those deals that gives you £100 for switching. She was turned down as she failed the credit check.

Can I legally apply for the tenancy myself but still have her live with me?

I can prove that I can afford it on my own and I've rented previously so shouldn't have any problems with the credit check. My girlfriend would live with me and she'd contribute towards the rent and bills, but she'd pay it directly into my bank. As far as the landlord/agency is concerned though, I would be the sole applicant. Can I do this? Is it legal?

princeofpounds

Rental credit checks are not like those for banks. They only find out about CCJs basically, not your financial product status.

So as long as she didn't fail due to a CCJ, I wouldn't worry.

Chasabi

princeofpounds wrote: »

Rental credit checks are not like those for banks. They only find out about CCJs basically, not your financial product status.

So as long as she didn't fail due to a CCJ, I wouldn't worry.

I did not know that. Thank you.

She failed to pay a £40 final bill from T-Mobile about a year ago when she lost her job. It was sent to a debt collection agency and has since been paid off.

I'm not entirely sure what a CCJ is? Does this count?

She's never been bankrupt.

moromir

CAN you do it? Yes.

SHOULD you do it without the Landlord's knowledge and prior agreement? No, it makes them wonder what else you're hiding- expect a Section 21 by return when they find out.

Rambosmum

A CCJ is a County Court Judgement. If your girlfriend paid off the debt without instruction from the court, of her own volition and never went to court she won't have one.

swingaloo

It may well depend on who you rent from. we rent and were told when we applied that each person over 18 who was to live in the house had to be checked and on the tenancy agreement. Some thing to do with if we had to be evicted for any reason no-one could claim rights to stay.

eilidhcatriona

Yes you can do this, but I think you still need to tell the agent/landlord about your partner.


My partner and I relocated home to Aberdeen last year, I was transferring with the same company so had continual employment whereas at the time of applying for the lease for our rental flat he was still jobhunting. So because I was employed and he wasn't, he would have needed a guarantor to for it to be a joint lease, so the easiest solution was for it to be in my name only but with him named as a "permitted occupant" on the lease.

NobodysChild

As someone said above, yes you can have the tenancy in your name only and have her live with you. She will just be an additional tenant. She may even be allowed on the tenancy agreement, but the tenancy holder will be you.

They should not need to credit check her, as the rent will be your responsibility, as the tenancy will be in your name. So you should be OK.

Guest101

jenniwat001 wrote: »

A CCJ is a County Court Judgement. If your girlfriend paid off the debt without instruction from the court, of her own volition and never went to court she won't have one.

Just to be technical a CCJ is registered if you fail to pay what a court orders.

The order itself does not mean u have a CCJ

Chasabi

Thanks for the replies and information. Very useful. Thank you.