Renting a house with ccjs

macfan21

Afternoon,
I've been a long term lurker over the in the debt forums but never actually registered until now. 
I am looking to rent a house but I'm concerned that I have 4 CCJ's on my credit report. 2 of them are from October 2015, one from October 2016 and one from 2017. These all stem from when I lost my job in 2014 but since getting back on my feet I've paid all bills on time like clockwork. 

What are the chances of being able to rent a house do you think with these CCJ.s on my file? I'm not a believer of being dishonest so I'd rather an estate agent or landlord know about them if they ask, but I am really anxious that they may go against me in what seems to be a really competitive market at the moment. 

theartfullodger

A landlord or agent does not have to credit check a tenant.  But since checks - which start at £7 and will flag CCJs - are so quick, easy almost all will.  

Be honest, you might get lucky.  Especially if other things in your favour eg high income, payslips and bank statements available, calm polite and smart appearance etc.  

Best tenants I ever had had no UK history, only reference was a neighbour I'd known for a few years saying "Mr Artful they very nice people" - and they were!

Have you paid off debts that resulted in CCJs? If so go with evidence of that. Some landlords and agents use their brains, although many appear not to know how to start.  To be a lettings agent in England requires no qualifications, no training, no criminal records check.  Bonkers! Other countries do this better.

Good luck.

Cakeguts

1 CCJ with us would be a yes for house with further information.  2 would be a no.  Can't take the risk.  4 would be a no chance. This is nothing personal it is all to do with risk assessment against what would happen if you lost your job again and decided you couldn't afford the rent.

macfan21

Cakeguts said:

1 CCJ with us would be a yes for house with further information.  2 would be a no.  Can't take the risk.  4 would be a no chance. This is nothing personal it is all to do with risk assessment against what would happen if you lost your job again and decided you couldn't afford the rent.

Completely understand your position and this is what worries me. The CCJ's are, in part, because I made the decision that it was more important to pay my rent than to pay things like catalog payments. At the end of the day the roof over my head is the most important bill there is, so that takes 100% priority. 
Everyone and anyone can lose their job and at such a time, debts like catalogs and store cards are not a priority. I am now in a fortunate position where I have money stashed away as I've learnt from the experience. 

steampowered

Make sure that the CCJs on your credit report are shown as "discharged" - not outstanding.

The CCJs are quite old now and if they have been fully paid that should give people comfort.

Personally I would disclose this and explain the circumstances at the point of referencing - not at the point of putting in an offer. 

GDB2222

If it's any consolation, I tend to consider the person, not just the credit record. Nevertheless, you do have a bit of a problem. Do you have a guarantor?

macfan21

GDB2222 said:

If it's any consolation, I tend to consider the person, not just the credit record. Nevertheless, you do have a bit of a problem. Do you have a guarantor?

Thanks for that. Yeah, I do appreciate that it’s an issue. It might be that I just have to hang fire til the first two CCJ’s are gone off my credit file in October and hope having two on there is less of an issue. 

At the moment, I’m thinking I could offer to pay the first 6 months rent in one lump sum at the start of a new tenancy. I know if I was a landlord, that would put my mind at ease (maybe that’s why I’m a renter and not a landlord haha). 

macfan21

Just an update, have found a house my wife and I absolutely love. It’s through a LA, and we’ve arranged a viewing. The viewing is with the landlord rather than an agent. 

Would we be better being upfront with the landlord at the viewing about ccjs, or let the LA pass that info on?

The LA have said that if there’s a situation where there’s multiple applications it’ll be down to the landlord to decide so we want to make the best impression we can.