Referencing process for prospective tenants - PLEASE help!

immuno

Hi Everyone,


I was hoping you guys could help me out, as I'm trying to rent a new place with my partner, and we're both stressing out majorly.


I have been living in a room in a shared flat for the past year unofficially (by this I mean it was agreed directly with the landlord and there wasn't even a tenancy agreement, as the landlord is my housemate's friend). My girlfriend was originally in the same situation, but as she often wasn't getting post (dodgy housemates?), she changed her bank address to my flat's address...so is using the same address as me for proof of address. This is where the problem lies. I was told that the referencing process will begin as soon as we make an offer for a flat - one we're viewing on Tuesday and are v hopeful about - compared to everything else we've seen!) They said they need both employer and landlord references - does anyone know how strict they are with regards to landlord references??


I spoke to my landlady today and she agreed to write me a reference, but refused to provide one for my gf, even though she knows she has stayed here quite often lately. She said she doesn't know her properly, etc..and isn't prepared to include her. My gf can't get through to her landlord at all, and he's been very difficult to reach. I asked the estate agents if it's ok for only one of us to have a landlord reference, as long as both have employers references, and they said yes...but I'm worried that as soon as they see that her "proof of address" document is the same as mine, they'll wonder why she can't get one! I feel it'd make more sense if she had a different address and simply said she can't reach her landlord.


I don't know if it helps that my salary is enough for the whole property and that strictly speaking, I don't need her contribution in order to pay rent? They've said how much the min combined income should be, and I meet that requirement alone.


I don't want to accept the flat on a single basis because I don't want to be dishonest and always have to stress about obtaining a reference for her in the future.


Does anyone know what I can do in this situation, and how strict they tend to be?!


Thank you so much!!

BitterAndTwisted

Just tell the truth about why your g/f has her mail sent to your address. She doesn't need to get in touch with her landlord, the agency will do that. If they don't get a response from him, it's not the end of the world as long as your employment references are OK, both of your credit-files are as clean as a whistle and the rent can easily be afforded.

ethank

Just tell them that your GF is staying with you, and that you are the tenant.

They will be fine.

immuno

Ok, thanks! Perhaps I was stressing out too much.


I will just be honest with them. Thank you for calming my nerves.

immuno

Do you know if it matters if I'm in my (arranged) overdraft??

Guest101

immuno wrote: »

Do you know if it matters if I'm in my (arranged) overdraft??

No.

The letting agent /LL aren't there to dictate your life, just that you pay the rent and look after the house.

It will be your home.

immuno

Thanks. I just thought it might show up in the credit report..although I suppose it's not really credit.


I guess I need to get used to the idea of a rented property being my "home". My current landlady comes in any time she pleases, often without notice. (I'm not renting via an estate agent at the moment)

Guest101

immuno wrote: »

Thanks. I just thought it might show up in the credit report..although I suppose it's not really credit.


I guess I need to get used to the idea of a rented property being my "home". My current landlady comes in any time she pleases, often without notice. (I'm not renting via an estate agent at the moment)

It makes no difference if there is an agent or not. Your LL has no right to enter without notice. Go and change the locks if you feel it warrented

immuno

Well, I don't have a tenancy agreement...anyway, I'm hopefully moving soon! Will be nice to have privacy from now on.