Got accepted on a flat but landlord wants all tenants to have guarantor - problem IVA

themadhouse

Hi all,

I am going through a separation. I have used what I thought was a decent estate agent but they are so incompetent its beyond below - why not use another agency? Well I am in a small village, very limited and they have a property I would like to rent.

So here is the problem, I paid the money for the checks, passed all came through fine was told I had the property. Started to organise utilities etc.

Get an email today an hour before they close saying the landlord has specifically stated that all tenants, pass or not with the referencing company, should have a guarantor and they will not budge from this.

Issue, I only have my mum as a possibility. My mum is a homeowner (£300k) been there 15 years, earns a good wage, says she has a healthy bank balance, but is into approximately the last 6 months of an IVA.

Is there anyone who can share any experience in this situation. As I am going through a separation its already an expensive time and I am reluctant to put more months down and in any event thats not an option only a guarantor - even though I passed the checks!

Really down on this and living in the same house as my ex who is constantly on at me isn't great any help would be great!

eddddy

Ask the agent what the criteria is for a guarantor. Some just ask for things like proof of income and/or proof of home ownership - others run full credit checks.

themadhouse

The company running the check is Van Mildert - does that help? The website/agent isn't specifically clear.

robatwork

themadhouse wrote: »

The company running the check is Van Mildert - does that help? The website/agent isn't specifically clear.

Well they are illiterate if that helps.

https://www.vanmildert.net/vm/tenants/standing-as-guarantor
Although this is very rarely neccessary, it is non the less a fairly serious legal commitment from the guarantor, and should not be taken lightly.

I wouldn't deal with a company who make legal contracts who can't even spell necessary or nonetheless on their website. Oh, and it's not a "fairly" serious legal commitment. That's like being partially pregnant.

themadhouse

To be honest I have a controlling ex partner I unfortunately have to live with until I find somewhere. I feel as though I have one foot through the door I am just needing to pass the landlords requirement on the property - I guess they have had their fingers burned in the past.

I just wanted a feel, given my mothers circumstances on a realistic prospect of her being approved as my guarantor - which I am annoyed about as the referencing agent passed me without needing one, and the agent only told me after money was exchanged! Again small village limited properties.

frugalsmurf

I'd explain to the EA that you're mum can do it but explain her iva. As it looks like there's no option. Will you get a pay out from the seperation? If so could you pay more deposit etc instead of this? Sounds like a hard situation...makes me angry when EA start changing the goal posts

themadhouse

I don't believe its the estate agent changing the goal posts this time necessarily depending on how you read into it. It seems more a case of miscommunication in relation to the guarantor. Sure its changing goal posts with move in dates etc. Despite passing the checks the landlady has requested a guarantor on all applicants which was not disclosed at the time of viewing/application.

My concern is that my mother wouldn't be accepted.

themadhouse

Well my mum got declined and my application, although passed fine, isn't enough with the landlady as she wants a guarantor the property regardless - harsh as I really have had my heart set on the property.

I have offered 2 months ahead for the duration of the tenancy, monthly checks for the first 6 months, my mum as a guarantor despite referencing company failing her for what its worth etc..... gutted.