CCJ affecting my ability to rent

Kmonies899

Hi there,

I posted a few months back regarding a CCJ that I was unaware existed.

Long story short a family member took out credit in my name and the corresponding letters went to an address that I hadn't lived at in 6 years, so I made the decision to start paying in instalments.
Now, we managed to move just fine and are happily settled by the sea, living with my SO's parents.

Which at 31 is not ideal.

I managed to secure a well paying office job and am making a decent salary, and my partner is also in full time employment.

We're branching out on our own now and I knew that a CCJ on my file was likely going to cause trouble (landlords are rightfully wary), but I'm starting to feel so guilty that my partner and I cannot move because of this.

His father has actually agreed to be a guarantor and I've been upfront about it with every letting agent, however two landlords have rejected us within 24 hours, I don't know, I guess I'm just disheartened and hoping for some success stories

Not too sure what I'm looking for, sorry for rambling, I hope everyone is safe and well.

pearsforlife

I feel your pain, I have been there before, and in the end it came down to landlord appetite, a few places which were not very fancy turned us away due to a CCJ, then one landlord who’s house was the nicest in a really nice area was fine with it and said ‘!!!!!! happens sometimes, I don’t judge’ we stayed there for 2 and a bit years until we had a deposit for a mortgage, then managed to buy a really nice place (CCJ still on file) with a adverse lender, funny because when we moved out the landlord said, ‘well I never usually get the keys back when the house is in such good condition, thanks for being the best tenants’.

Some people swore by private landlords, but we were ok with the agents, just, as you have been doing, be upfront and honest good luck!!

Smashingitnow

Yes. You will find a landlord who has more experience or empathy. Make sure the letting agents are putting it to the landlord. Also, offering a larger deposit could help (if this is an option for you). Putting yourself in the strongest position in other terms (no pets, non smoking, ready to move in immediately) could all help. You could try offering 50 quid a month over the requested rent, again only if an option for you....but for now keep going and perhaps put in writing the value of the CCj, the creditor and the amount repaid...the letting agent might garble things so if it's written down it is clearer. Also state clearly your guarantor is a property owner, excellent credit history, governor of a local school etc (whatever is true!). Good luck x

Kmonies899

Hi both,
Thank you for replying and the encouragement its certainly buoyed my spirits!
We're both non smokers, no kids or pets and have a joint per annum income of £36,000 and my previous landlord has written me a glowing recommendation, FIL is also a home and business owner with good credit, so I'm hoping something will come along eventually!
The CCJ is currently being paid and drops of my credit file in 3 years, though I'm sure my SO does not want to be living with his parents for that long ahaha!
Thank you for your suggestions, I will certainly suggest some of those to my SO
Thanks again and have a lovely Christmas
x

[Deleted User]

Try and find a rental directly from a landlord and appeal to their better nature. Lettings agents tend to just dismiss anyone with a CCJ as a matter of course and run off with your admin fee (or the new quasi-admin fee that you only get back if the rental goes ahead) even after they have sat and watched you tick the CCJ box.)

ryanm8655

A friend of mine has a CCJ and has no trouble renting, earns a lot and it is London but I’m surprised you’re finding it so difficult. Seems unfair. What was the ccj for?

warby68

Would it be possible for partner to rent in sole name or can't he afford it?
Not sure what the expectation is from landlords - do they always want every occupier on the lease?

Maverick1103

Kmonies899 said:

Hi there,

I posted a few months back regarding a CCJ that I was unaware existed.

Long story short a family member took out credit in my name and the corresponding letters went to an address that I hadn't lived at in 6 years, so I made the decision to start paying in instalments.
Now, we managed to move just fine and are happily settled by the sea, living with my SO's parents.

Which at 31 is not ideal.

I managed to secure a well paying office job and am making a decent salary, and my partner is also in full time employment.

We're branching out on our own now and I knew that a CCJ on my file was likely going to cause trouble (landlords are rightfully wary), but I'm starting to feel so guilty that my partner and I cannot move because of this.

His father has actually agreed to be a guarantor and I've been upfront about it with every letting agent, however two landlords have rejected us within 24 hours, I don't know, I guess I'm just disheartened and hoping for some success stories

Not too sure what I'm looking for, sorry for rambling, I hope everyone is safe and well.

I'm in a similar position as I recently tried to move and had a conversation with a letting agency and I was upfront about my previous adverse credit history, I explained I'm discharged from Bankruptcy but I have a CCJ still showing as active, they believe as it is still on my file it and it was a high amount (4.5k) the landlord wouldn't accept me even though I can prove I'm discharged and have been using Credit Ladder for some time to prove I've not missed rent payments in 2 years.

I've been discharged nearly 3 years now and my CCJ is nearly 4 years old and it still shows as active on my credit file, I even emailed my OR who earlier this year contacted the court on my behalf but I never heard anything back so I assume it's on there to stay, which is a pain but it is what it is.