Advice on renting... bad credit/housing benefit

tigzem

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help me out with some advice or info.

I'm a single Mum with a 2yr old looking for a house to rent. I currently rent with my Mum, but she's moving in with my Grandparents as they're in ill health so my daughter and I will be renting alone. I'm more than happy to do this as relish my own space etc.

However.... I'm having problems, a) because I have bad debt (CCJ) and b) I'll be claiming housing benefit. I've viewed a house with a private landlord, the house is perfect and the landlord is lovely, she's more than happy with children, my old cat and the fact I claim housing benefit. She doesn't do credit checks as such but wants an employers ref and bank ref. I was honest with her though and advised her of my CCJ. She has referred this to her mortgage co and I'm awaiting their/her decision.

I understand the risk of renting to someone with bad credit, but I like to think I'm a better risk that some as I have to provide my daughter with a home and I would never compromise that. I'm 100% committed to my financial commitments and am working hard to pay them back.

I work part time 3 days a week and have worked out my budget and am confident I can afford the rent/bills.

Any advice?

tweetyshells

Not alot you can do but wait and see what they say.

tigzem

The answer is no.

Perhaps I should've kept quiet about my CCJ but I'm a honest person so I told her.

Don't know where to go now.

tigzem

Has anyone got any suggestions or advice?

cometherevolution_2

hi tig
we have always rented (bad credit problems too) and normally we get someone to be a guarantor is there someone who would do this for you?

tigzem

cometherevolution wrote: »

hi tig
we have always rented (bad credit problems too) and normally we get someone to be a guarantor is there someone who would do this for you?

Yeah my Mum.... but even that doesn't seem to be good enough. Some have mentioned 6 months rent, which would be impossible for me to find.

Thanks for your reply

ixwood

What about the council? As a single mum you'll get priority won't you?

clutton_2

the problem is that many lenders specify in thier BTL mortgage T&Cs that DSS / HB tenants are not allowed - many landlords choose to ignore this and rent to benefit claimants anyway.

if i am approached by a HB tenant, i need a Pre Tenancy Determination form done so that i can see what the Rent Office determines what is a fair rent for the property - if a tenant arrives with one, i can see that they are determined; i am always impressed with prospective tenants who arrive with references, and a cash deposit - 6 months bank statements will show me if a tenant can live within their means - and a driving licence and NI card. Last resort if to get a guarantor. good luck councils sometimes have a list of landlords who are "accredited" and who will accept HB tenants.

alison999

i have bad credit too, am trying to get out of a bad landlord situation etc too. it annoys me that ccj's stay on your record for so long. your life, and you as a person can completely change within 6 years. i dont like being penilised for mistakes i made years ago. but thats life i guess. i think deposits on their own is hard enough to get together - let lone 6 months rent in advance!!! some renting agents arent in reality. if we had that kind of money wouldnt we buy?!

tigzem

clutton wrote: »

the problem is that many lenders specify in thier BTL mortgage T&Cs that DSS / HB tenants are not allowed - many landlords choose to ignore this and rent to benefit claimants anyway.

if i am approached by a HB tenant, i need a Pre Tenancy Determination form done so that i can see what the Rent Office determines what is a fair rent for the property - if a tenant arrives with one, i can see that they are determined; i am always impressed with prospective tenants who arrive with references, and a cash deposit - 6 months bank statements will show me if a tenant can live within their means - and a driving licence and NI card. Last resort if to get a guarantor. good luck councils sometimes have a list of landlords who are "accredited" and who will accept HB tenants.

The landlord did tell me she's not meant to accept HB tenants but was happy to in my case, but I guess as soon as I was honest and mentioned my CCJ she didn't want to take the chance.... price of being honest I guess.... would've thought that would've gone in my favour, but hey ho.

Thing is the tenants that are in the property at the moment, I know through a friend and know for a fact that they have debt problems too, maybe that's why they are leaving!

I have since yesterday's post found 3 agents who "may" be able to help but they don't have any suitable properties... I guess I don't need to panic just yest, got until 30th Sept, so hopefully something will turn up.

clutton_2

i am just credit checking a prospective tenant- and his credit report has come back showing that he has a CCJ for £100 last october. he did not tell me about that. i asked him and he initially thought it was due to unpaid overdue bank charges, then decided it was a parking fine. i am now going to ask for 6 months of bank statements - and if it seems he can live within his salary, i'm gonna ignore the CCJ - £100 is nothing in this day and age - and he is not the worlds brightest - so may genuinely have got mixed up.