Paid for credit check, passed it and go good references but was rejected!

Caz3121

It does sound like affordability
I believe that they will use a formula to work out what your income needs to be to afford the rent. x2.5 rings a bell which would mean that, if the rent was £500pm you would need an income of £15k per annum. If they exclude your benefits does your earned income fall into that ball park?

Somerset

ryouga wrote: »

... they said its themselves that dont consider benefits income(which contradicts what they said before even from the same employee).

So initially they said benefits were acceptable as income and provided you passed the credit check, there would be no problem renting to you and a guarantor wouldn't be required.


Now they are saying the opposite, that benefits aren't counted as income and 'affordability' criteria means a guarantor is necessary ?


You have my sympathies. I think they have screwed you over.

ryouga

It was something along those lines but my benefits along come to like £190 per week not including the £60 pw pha though I didnt put down the lha just the £190 per week so its possible they did it from that I just didnt want to put it down until it was confirmed.

Guest101

Guest101 wrote: »

The LA's need to publicise all terms and conditions of their fees - as per the Consumer Rights Act 2015. - Depending when she made payment, it would be fairly clear what it was.

The LA would need to prove they provided her with a copy of the terms and conditions, and this needs to be on their website.

If this was done over the phone, the letting agent should have a script to read out about the terms and condition to help mitigate claims.

of course they are also a member of the PRS (or equivalent) and a complaint should be made to them.

In general where terms are ambiguous it is in favour of the consumer rather than the commercial entity. So where there is doubt as to what was said, it is likely to go in the OPs favour.

So I'm asking one more time, have they offered you a refund???

ryouga

You quoted them but asking me lol, no they havent as is they have just said they will speak to LL and get back to me tomorrow best outcome I can expect is being asked to pay a few months rent in advance which whilst I can do I feel I have been lied to to sign a contract.

And I will mention this due to people quoting rights now this is in Scotland, where they cant charge fees anyway I was going to wait till I moved out or was there long term to do so.

boliston

They would definitely need to refund your fees if *they* pulled out of the deal rather than you.

ryouga

Well theres other reasons, I liked the location and they offer good prices, I originally wanted a property around corner from main train station which cost the same but they told me it wasnt available to mid June, and promised me the one I wanted was available straight away then when paying deposit they said its not available to mid June as well! Bad service really.

Only reasons I have kept letting them do this so far was I was worried about losing deposit or waiting weeks or months for refund and was hoping despite being a bit useless as agents they may be good as landlords.

As it happenes checked gumtree and saw a flat 5 minutes walk away that ad says takes benefit tenants and costs £40 a month less! Wish I had known at the time.

martindow

ryouga wrote: »

And I will mention this due to people quoting rights now this is in Scotland, where they cant charge fees anyway I was going to wait till I moved out or was there long term to do so.

In Scotland you should not be charged fees in any case. Ask for the fee back - it doesn't seem to make any difference whether you are accepted or not as a tenant.

http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/finding_a_place_to_live/renting_privately/letting_agencies

stator

If you told them you were receiving benefits and they accepted your fee without advising you that a guarantor was required then you have a very good case for demanding your money back. They have clearly been misleading.

agrinnall

I don't understand why you paid for a credit check when you already knew that LAs are not allowed to charge fees in Scotland. I doubt if you'll ever see that money again unless you're prepared to take them to court, if they're happy to flout the law I'm sure they will have no problem at all ignoring anything you ask for.