Renting with 5 years old ccj, but good current income

Giftshop

Hi all,

I signed up for a property to rent yesterday. It was the end of a long search as most properties always had deal breakers. Anyway, the agency said they'd do some credit checks, I wasn't worried as I've had credit cards before, and paid on time, I don't now as I don't like these things, I prefer paying for things directly. Anyway, yesterday I decided to create an an account on totally money to check my record, I'd never done that before and surprise, surprise..... Ccj dated from 5 years ago, when I was a student, amount under £500. To say I was shocked was an understament, and I immediately checked the paper I had signed yesterday and it specifically said that having a ccj would result in not pursing with the tenancy and losing the holding deposit. It also says that they won't discuss any credit check report. I will call the ccj centre today as I'm sure I paid it off within the time frame not for it to show on my report.

My question is given that it was 5 years ago and have been in regular employment for the past and earn decent salary, could they continue with the tenancy or maybe ask for a guarantor? I'd even be prepared to pay 6 months in advance, what that work?

I'm on my day off today, but all sleep has suddenly left me

Thanks for your time

AdrianC

It's all entirely the putative landlord's decision - there is no hard-and-fast.

But, if you were the landlord, would you prefer a tenant with a court-proven history of not paying debts to one without that history...?

Six months in advance is a favoured tactic of those wishing to use the property for illicit purposes, and says nothing about the chances of month 7's rent being paid.

Giftshop

AdrianC
Thanks for the first 2 two short paragraphs, as for the 3rd one? Really? Or should I say, I'm busted now that my cannabis making business will come to light? Lol

Anyway, I think I'll contact the agent today, explain that I've checked my own credit record and found an old ccj and take it from there.

AdrianC

Giftshop wrote: »

Thanks for the first 2 two short paragraphs, as for the 3rd one? Really? Or should I say, I'm busted now that my cannabis making business will come to light? Lol

...or an HMO* for ladies of negotiable virtue.

Remember - you know you a lot better than the potential landlord knows you. They have very little information to go on - and your credit reference is a large part of what they do have.

* And I'll let you guess what the O stands for.

lookstraightahead

I would say 6 months up front with a very old CCJ is less risky than nothing upfront where you can just not pay any rent after moving in.

But yes you have to pass the antiquated irrational paperwork

AdrianC

lookstraightahead wrote: »

I would say 6 months up front with a very old CCJ is less risky than nothing upfront where you can just not pay any rent after moving in.

Indeed. The landlord knows he'll get at least six months rent, instead of just trusting to get even the first...

But remember, it's not "Me with CCJ or nobody", it's "Me with CCJ or somebody else without CCJ". And the landlord is handing over a very valuable asset on a long-term contract, with slow and expensive enforced termination of that contract in the event of non-payment.

dimbo61

Why not wait and see if the letting agents come back to you first rather than call them.