Failed my tenant check

sofaman

The estate agents got back to me re my application, and told me that I failed and the LL won't accept me.

I told them that I had a previous CCJ, and they still advised me to continue the application. I've asked the estate agents where I failed, and they refused to disclose any info.

Is there any thing I can do? Just lost some money for the check, and kinda hesitant to bother looking for a place to rent.

Guest101

ASK- what is the criteria for passing? There's no magic yes/no machine. You tell them your circumstances, they check to see if that's correct and then decide

sofaman

Thanks, but already tried that.

For anyone else who is in a similar bind, I suggest looking for The Office For Fair Trading document: Guidance on unfair terms in tenancy agreement. Look at section 3.68, as it may give grounds for a refund.

I'm off to the Property Ombudsman (which the agent is a member of), and to initiate a claim for a) taking my £300 fee, b) not providing any info as to why I failed.

Some interesting reading here.

Guest101

No, not why you failed.


What the passing criteria is. You should ask for this before you apply.


"Whats the criteria for this check"


"You will fail if you have a CCJ or a bankruptcy in the last 4 years"


"Ok I have a CCJ from 3 years ago, so I will auto fail this check"

Stevie_Palimo

I never understand the use credit checks anyway and in most instances these can be bypassed manually and they could also request a guarantor if they are not entirely happy with your credit reference checks.

It has taken me a long time to get back on track with things and my credit rating was far from perfect to the point I got refused a bank account with one of the mainstream banks, I'm now in a position not to worry about this and the same bank would now allow me to open an account of which I barely use.

Guest101

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

I never understand the use credit checks anyway and in most instances these can be bypassed manually and they could also request a guarantor if they are not entirely happy with your credit reference checks.

It has taken me a long time to get back on track with things and my credit rating was far from perfect to the point I got refused a bank account with one of the mainstream banks, I'm now in a position not to worry about this and the same bank would now allow me to open an account of which I barely use.

That's because your confusing the credit checks a lender carries out, with the credit checks a letting agent carries out


The Letting agents are simply trying to match circumstances with their criteria. The credit check they do is an income check, a public records check and a reference check.


They don't know if you've defaulted or not on a credit card. It's about confirming what they've already been told.


I.E. The tenant has said no ccjs, but we've found 2 = fail

sofaman

Guest101 wrote: »

No, not why you failed.


What the passing criteria is. You should ask for this before you apply.


"Whats the criteria for this check"


"You will fail if you have a CCJ or a bankruptcy in the last 4 years"


"Ok I have a CCJ from 3 years ago, so I will auto fail this check"

Yeah, told them re my history (CCJ) but they advised me to proceed with the application. It was a new guy in the branch, and he assured me that they don't take on clients who may fail.

s_b

I would be very annoyed if i had told them i had a ccj but they still took £300 of me knowing i would fail
it is as if they were sniffing for the money

Guest101

sofaman wrote: »

Yeah, told them re my history (CCJ) but they advised me to proceed with the application. It was a new guy in the branch, and he assured me that they don't take on clients who may fail.

That seems more promising, try to get things in writing.

sofaman

s_b wrote: »

I would be very annoyed if i had told them i had a ccj but they still took £300 of me knowing i would fail
it is as if they were sniffing for the money

My thoughts too. This is a major loophole where unscrupulous agents could take the money, and say: 'sorry, but you failed our check and we won't tell you why!'

A nice little earner.

Anyway, gonna try the ombudsman and see how far it gets me.

Re the new agent and duff advice; he told me in person as we were walking back from the viewing. So no actual proof exists. Live and learn...

Brightspark87

sofaman wrote: »

My thoughts too. This is a major loophole where unscrupulous agents could take the money, and say: 'sorry, but you failed our check and we won't tell you why!'

A nice little earner.

Anyway, gonna try the ombudsman and see how far it gets me.

Re the new agent and duff advice; he told me in person as we were walking back from the viewing. So no actual proof exists. Live and learn...

these agents make me really cross! You told them and they still took that money from you. I do hope you find a beautiful home with someone who is fair. I would complain and ensure you get point across. Good luck!