Renting credit checks

hollip0p

Hello,

I'm new to the forums and not 100% sure I'm posting in the right place so please point me in the right direction if I'm not!

I've been on a DMP for a couple of years now and have two defaults on my credit file.

My boyfriend and I are looking to move out in the next couple of months. We have been living with my mum for the last 2 years and were hoping to stay here until my debts have been paid off but it's just not realistic - being here is putting a massive strain on my relationship with both of them!

We've done a budget and worked out exactly what we could afford if we were to move out, so I'm not worried about that side of things but I am worried about the checks agencies will do? Will my defaults stop us from being able to rent? I've spent ages and ages googling it and some people say the only thing that would cause an issue would be if I were to have any CCJ's against me, which I don't. But I just can't see how my bad credit wouldn't be a concern to them?

Would appreciate if anyone can help advise on this one.

Thanks!

FutureGirl

Landlord credit checks bring up only public information such as CCJ's, not defaults. They can't see an in-depth credit file regarding defaults, or missed payments etc.

I moved in August an had 5 defaults - they couldn't see them.

hollip0p

FutureGirl wrote: »

Landlord credit checks bring up only public information such as CCJ's, not defaults. They can't see an in-depth credit file regarding defaults, or missed payments etc.

I moved in August an had 5 defaults - they couldn't see them.

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly!

This is such good news. So it won't matter that I have a low credit score (308 ) and 2 defaults, so long as I don't have CCJ's? Excellent! That's such a weight off my mind!

hollip0p

Hi again.

Sorry to ask again, but we've now found a flat we love and we've decided to go for it. The only problem is they use a company called RentShield to do their checks and after doing some digging around on the Internet, it looks like they see more information than other landlords?

Does anyone have any experience with RentShield?

I'm hopefully worrying over nothing but there's just so much conflicting information on the Internet. I don't want to get my hopes up just in case I get declined.

Tixy

No they cannot see credit account information.

Quite a few of the tenancy check providers word their literature in a vague way to imply that they are able to check more than they can. Makes their services sound better value for money I suppose for landlords/agents using them!

The credit reference agencies do not share credit account history with rental checking agencies.
The only way they would know about defaults on your file is if you tell them, or you show them your copy of your credit file (which obviously you wouldn't).

hollip0p

Thanks a lot Tixy, appreciate you getting back to me so quickly

happy_bunny_2

They market up their services to make out they do a thorough check. All vague if you look.

Don't volunteer the info about defaults as they will never see that.

Good luck.

HB

hollip0p

Thanks HB, I've kept completely quiet about my defaults so far. The paperwork only asked about CCJ's so I've not exactly lied, just not been completely open with them!

My boyfriends check has come back and is fine but mine still hasn't been returned which is worrying me even more now! Argh! Although, we checked my boyfriends credit report and he also has a default against him (for £70 on a phone bill 3 years ago, so nothing compared to mine), so it's sort of put my mind at ease a little bit more but I've still got doubts. I've spoken to the letting agent this morning who has said it should definitely be back by Tuesday so I will just try not to think about it any more until then!

Thanks again for all your replies

hollip0p

Letting agent just called to let us know all checks have gone through fine, phew! So RentShield clearly aren't as thorough as they make out... Grr! All that worry for nothing!

fermi

Good.

As said, they are not allowed to access credit/account data whatever they may say or imply in their blurb, so would simply not see the defaults.