Reassurance Please??

lynns3cookies

Hi All,

I've already asked a similar question a while back, however I am about to take the plunge and try renting through a private landlord after living with my parents. The fear of the credit check is holding me back. I'm on a DMP and when with my ex husband lost my home through his unemployment. I'm in Scotland and not sure if the rules up here are the same as the rest of the U.K. What kind of checks will the letting agency do and should I tell them upfront or wait and see what they say? Worst case scenario I could get a guarantor via family but would prefer to do this all on my own.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

sourcrates

Hi,

You should have nothing to worry about, private landlords do not have access to your financial information on your credit file, only the public information section.
As a DMP is a non regulated, informal agreement, nothing will appear on your credit file regarding it.

I'm assuming this information is valid in Scotland as well, but if you want piece of mind, contact National Debtline (Scotland) they will be able to calm your worries.

lyndseyb2009

You should be fine. I was in a DMP when I was applying for my current apartment - we failed the first attempt as both my OH and I had applied and he had a CCJ which stopped his application.

Second time around I earned enough to apply for a slightly cheaper place (if you can call £900 a month in rent cheap!) and applied on my own. I got accepted straight away and have now been in our place for 2.5 years.

I had x3 defaults on my file and it made no difference. They only search for public records such as bankruptcies and CCJ's.

lynns3cookies

Thanks guys, Time to take the plunge!

lyndseyb2009

Good luck! xxx

indierocker85

I was put down as the "lead name" on a joint tenancy through a private landlord, two weeks before my wedding, which was just over 2 years ago. At this time, I had a default notice on my credit file, and my credit overall, was very poor. Yet I got approved, so try not to stress too much, it worked for me and it will work for you too.

lynns3cookies

I got the forms today and they ask directly the question do you have adverse credit and if so what. Hmmm what should I be putting?

sourcrates

lynns3cookies wrote: »

I got the forms today and they ask directly the question do you have adverse credit and if so what. Hmmm what should I be putting?

I would just put that I was on a debt management plan and leave it at that, don't go into any more detail.

National_Debtline

Hi Lynn


You have touched on a pet hate of mine - infuriatingly vague questions on application forms. I'm not sure how they expect you to define "adverse credit" or what exactly they will do with whatever information you provide.


The lettings agency can check the register for sheriff court decrees and insolvency proceedings from the past six years - none of that appears to apply to you.


If it makes you feel more comfortable, I'd suggest you call the agency to make a general enquiry. I'm assuming you may have a mixture of Arrangement to Pay (AP) markers and defaults on your credit report as a result of your DMP - you could ask the agency anonymously whether these constitute "adverse credit" for the purposes of their form and take it from there.


Dennis
@natdebtline

lynns3cookies

Thanks for this information. I am going to say I have adverse credit which is historical. I can provide a guarantor if need be. They can it would seem trip you up with these questions even though they can't access your full credit history. I'll see what the end outcome is. All of your advice is greatly appreciated.

lynns3cookies

All done and passed. No issue at all, thanks for your advice everyone