Renting........ what can I do when no agents will accept me?

Claire_Harris

Ok so here's the thing......... I'm a healthcare professional and earn a reasonable wage ish (I've worked b hard to get where I have). I'm a single mum, have two teens, 18yrs and 16yrs. I split from my ex husband 3yrs ago and ended up paying for all the bills which ended in a debt management plan . This effected my credit rating. I have pets too, so guess what???? Agents are wantinga credit rating of at least 620 and mine is 540 ............ this means if I pay for a credit check it's gonna be a no! It's hard enough finding a rental property who will accept pets and teens let alone the credit rating 😡 I'm able to pay all my bills and and my rent, I never miss it ! I work 2 jobs to ensure I make ends meet, I can't seem to find any private landlords that don't seem to use any form of credit check referencing! So gotta be out by 31st Aug, booked to see the council but holdnout much hope 😢😢😢any suggestions apart from the obvious livingbon a park bench senario 😂😊 thank you people

Pixie5740

Claire_Harris wrote: »

Ok so here's the thing......... I'm a healthcare professional and earn a reasonable wage ish (I've worked b hard to get where I have). I'm a single mum, have two teens, 18yrs and 16yrs. I split from my ex husband 3yrs ago and ended up paying for all the bills which ended in a debt management plan . This effected my credit rating. I have pets too, so guess what???? Agents are wantinga credit rating of at least 620 and mine is 540 ............ this means if I pay for a credit check it's gonna be a no! It's hard enough finding a rental property who will accept pets and teens let alone the credit rating �� I'm able to pay all my bills and and my rent, I never miss it ! I work 2 jobs to ensure I make ends meet, I can't seem to find any private landlords that don't seem to use any form of credit check referencing! So gotta be out by 31st Aug, booked to see the council but holdnout much hope ������any suggestions apart from the obvious livingbon a park bench senario ���� thank you people

Have you actually applied for any rental properties and been rejected or are you getting in a tizzy about something that has not even happened yet?

There's no such thing as a universal credit rating. Any credit score generated by a credit reference agency is just a marketing tool, no lenders can see the credit rating credit reference agencies generate never mind use it so letting agents sure as hell can't see it.

Lenders can view your credit history, note that's history not rating or score. Whilst the most letting agents can view are your public (court) credit records which only show CCJ and insolvency (DRO, IVA, bankruptcy).

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score

sevenhills

Claire_Harris wrote: »

So gotta be out by 31st Aug, booked to see the council but holdnout much hope 😢😢😢any suggestions apart from the obvious livingbon a park bench senario 😂😊 thank you people

That would help you get a council house, or you could buy a motorhome or a caravan in a friends drive

Claire_Harris

Thanks for your reply but I have spoken to many agents all who say they won't accept anyone with a score less than 620. I'm def not going to pay an agent £75-120 to do a credit check just to get turned down as that is what I've been informed would happen. I have no CCjs or IVA it's just a low score and I have debts I'm paying off. The law regarding landlords and tenants has changed so much it's making it virtually impossible to rent anywhere 😩 And I can promise you I've done my research, I'm not getting in a tizzy but I'm sure you can appreciate with 6ish weeks to be out it doesn't leave me with many choices eh 😊

pmlindyloo

Why are you being asked to leave your current property?

Have you checked that the landlord has issued the correct notice etc etc?

If everything is OK in this respect then have you tried to find somewhere to rent other than using letting agents?

Look in your local newspapers, in shop windows, ask friends, colleagues if they know of someone who wants to rent their property. Letting agents can be sticklers for certain criteria but often others do not have such high demands.

Also remember that letting agents are acting for the landlord and it may be worth asking the LA if they would ask the landlord to accept you especially if you could provide 6 months rent up front ( borrow from family and pay back each month?)

Your council should be able to give you advice about your housing options. Some councils may have connections with private landlords.

Good luck!

aneary

Only lenders can see your credit history and not your score (which is meaningless anyway).

A LL is not a lender they can only see your public record so just CCJs, IVAs and bankruptcy. The LL's referencing is public records, a reference from your previous LL and your work confirming if you are permanent and your average wage.

Which ever agent told you that you have to have a score of x doesn't have a clue or more than likely trying to put off people with a poor credit history, but as I've said and others will say they can only see your public record nothing else.

worried_jim

aneary wrote: »

Only lenders can see your credit history and not your score (which is meaningless anyway).

A LL is not a lender they can only see your public record so just CCJs, IVAs and bankruptcy. The LL's referencing is public records, a reference from your previous LL and your work confirming if you are permanent and your average wage.

Which ever agent told you that you have to have a score of x doesn't have a clue or more than likely trying to put off people with a poor credit history, but as I've said and others will say they can only see your public record nothing else.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^this.

Sounds like you are getting blagged big time.

aneary

Oh and just to ad my Experian score is very poor and my equifax is excellent.

So which score would the agent want??

Further proof bearing in mind the very poor Experian I have past an agents credit check with flying colours this week for a large two bedroom maisonette.

anselld

Claire_Harris wrote: »

Thanks for your reply but I have spoken to many agents all who say they won't accept anyone with a score less than 620. I'm def not going to pay an agent £75-120 to do a credit check just to get turned down as that is what I've been informed would happen. I have no CCjs or IVA it's just a low score and I have debts I'm paying off. The law regarding landlords and tenants has changed so much it's making it virtually impossible to rent anywhere 😩 And I can promise you I've done my research, I'm not getting in a tizzy but I'm sure you can appreciate with 6ish weeks to be out it doesn't leave me with many choices eh 😊

The law hasn't changed. Speaking to agents is not "research". As others have stated they can see only public records so your "score" is completely meaningless.

sheff6107

The only person who can see the three arbitrary, meaningless, different credit scores from the three main companies is you.

In post one you say you have a debt management plan and in post two you say you have no IVAs?

Have you looked at your Experian, Noddle and Clearscore records?

Guest101

Claire_Harris wrote: »

Ok so here's the thing......... I'm a healthcare professional and earn a reasonable wage ish (I've worked b hard to get where I have). I'm a single mum, have two teens, 18yrs and 16yrs. I split from my ex husband 3yrs ago and ended up paying for all the bills which ended in a debt management plan . This effected my credit rating. I have pets too, so guess what???? Agents are wantinga credit rating of at least 620 and mine is 540 - Really they said that? Ok tell them I goive you a credit rating of 621.... it's just a made up number after all. and agents cant see either the number (ONLY YOU CAN) nor your debts. ............ this means if I pay for a credit check it's gonna be a no! - well you don't know that It's hard enough finding a rental property who will accept pets - dont tell them and teens - dont tell them let alone the credit rating 😡 I'm able to pay all my bills and and my rent, I never miss it ! I work 2 jobs to ensure I make ends meet - child maintenance? , I can't seem to find any private landlords that don't seem to use any form of credit check referencing! So gotta be out by 31st Aug, booked to see the council but holdnout much hope 😢😢😢any suggestions apart from the obvious livingbon a park bench senario 😂😊 thank you people

Well why do you have to be out by Aug 31st?