Offering 12 months rent in advance with poor credir file.Any advice please?

Funnymonday18 · 3 May 2015 at 11:23AM

Hi,i've sold my property & am looking to relocate.Life has been hard for me,some mental health issues meaning only worked part time & a weak credit file with a paid satisfied CCJ from 2011.
I'm at exchange stage on my house,have been for a few week & sourcing a rental property has been tough.I'm going to use part of the sale funds to pay for the rentals in advance with a letter from my solicitor etc so it's all done properly
I offered a 12 months rent paid in advance on a flat last week but the estate agent turned it down as my previous earnings which were low.I only want a 1 year deal but the agent said something about insurance "at the other end" and that the landlord was'nt happy with it etc.
I'm beginning to think this isn't going to happen for me so would welcome any advice from anyone with what to say to letting agents as my credit history weak but i'm paying 12 months in advance to negate this.Getting fed up,worn down.Thanks in advance

Old_Git · 3 May 2015 at 11:42AM

do you have to use a letting agent .Have you tried gumtree .

Funnymonday18 · 3 May 2015 at 11:45AM

There's not too many properties on Gumtree,I have tried though but they're mostly letting agents .It's ridiculous I'm paying a year upfront yet agents are blocking me.

pmlindyloo · 3 May 2015 at 12:28PM

You need to look in the local newspapers/shop windows/ask family/friends/colleagues.

A lot of letting agents have a particular way of referencing potential tenants and many will not even ask the LL if they would consider any deviations from the 'norm'.

Funnymonday18 · 3 May 2015 at 2:35PM

You're right,they don't ask the LL & aren't under obligation to do so either.I'd be making a payment of £13k upfront which is a big sum of money.Agents charge per applicant so with a couple they'd get double money whereas there's only me so it's only 1 fee.One agent told me they look preferably at couples as they tend to stay longer.It's all utter rubbish.I live 50 miles from where I want to relocate & I've put in a lot of effort,all I want is a reasonable 1 bed flat.

xsinaftersinx · 5 May 2015 at 12:55PM

It's funny, some landlords just don't like the cash upfront as it doesn't help with cash flow. I've found this, especially with landlords who only have one property, they like to have the money coming in month on month so they know that the money is always there to pay the mortgage rather than keeping £13k in a bank account for 12 months. I know my landlord is a bit funny getting the rent a week early as it somehow messes up his bank account and bills getting paid in an order or something!