Renting with bad credit? Please help

Cheesephetamine

We are looking for a new house to rent as my current landlord wants to sell his so we have to move out. 

We have an excellent relationship with our landlord with whom we have been with for the past 5 years. 

My husband has a very good credit score but mine is bad as since 2019 I have been on a DMP. I have defaults and such. No iva, dro, bankruptcy or ccj. “Just” the defaults and a NOC asking that I am not offered credit until I remove the NOC. My accounts have improved lately as I have been paying off credit cards etc but the overall credit score is still in the red. 

We both have full time permanent jobs with good income and I have never missed an “important” payment ie council tax rent etc 

We also have very good personal / profesional references. 

how likely is my bad credit score keep us both from renting in this circumstance and does anyone have any advice for me? I am very scared and stressed. 

thanks

lordmountararat

If your husband has a very good credit history (his 'score' is fairly meaningless) then why not just rent in his name rather than joint names?

Cheesephetamine

They ask for everyone’s names for the letting. I am the top earner. But thinking of putting his name first as main

gd55

We recently considered renting a new place. I have settled IVA on file and the associated defaults, partner has clear record but earns less.

One agent said as long as partner's income passed the affordability test the agreement could go in his name only no problem. Another said it would be fine to have us both on as the IVA was settled. Third said a guarantor would be needed.

You could put some anonymous calls in to agents in your area and ask their take on it. Or going direct with a private landlord could be an option.

Cheesephetamine

Thank you for your answer! I am the “high” earner (£33000) My partner earns £21000 so they wouldn’t let him rent a £1200 house on his own 

I do not have anything in my record that is public. No IVA no dro no bankruptcy and no CCJs

I am on a DMP I am just worried that my defaulted accounts would show or my overall score. So I wonder if they really only see the public details or they see the whole ordeal. Would my job not be a positive? Working for ——— (edited for safety)

edit: also anonymous calls are a no go. We are in a small town and I’m not British and my accent is very recognised 🤣

I also have an email from my current landlord saying how wonderful we have been for the last 5 years. We are moving just because he is elderly and wants to sell that also would be a plus??

Langerhan

You should be fine, especially since your husband has no history of defaulting. Landlords don't usually do a full credit check. What they want to know is that you've always paid your rent and you've never been evicted for antisocial behaviour. If both those things are true, and the account you're going to be paying from isn't in overdraft, there shouldn't be an issue.

SusieT

A DMP will not normally show on a rental credit check. Most only see CCJ(s), bankruptcy, IVA and DRO which are on public record part of your credit history. Obviously if you are asked if you ae on a DMP then you should declare it. If your current landlord will give you a good reference and say that your rent has been paid on time you should be fine. 
Another thing to remember is that although the landlord has given you notice (I assume he has done all the required safety certificates etc), it does not mean you have to leave on that date. Only you or a court can end the tenancy, so if you find somewhere else that needs you to stay a while longer then there is nothing he can do about it.

Cheesephetamine

I’m on very good terms with him and he has given me 6 months and also told me that if I leave earlier I will not pay anything extra. He has written an informal email with good words about me and my cats so I have an easier time getting a property. He is an angel. My landlord is not a problem. And thanks for the advice I hope we will be fine 

Sea_Shell

Cheesephetamine said:

Thank you for your answer! I am the “high” earner (£33000) My partner earns £21000 so they wouldn’t let him rent a £1200 house on his own 

I do not have anything in my record that is public. No IVA no dro no bankruptcy and no CCJs

I am on a DMP I am just worried that my defaulted accounts would show or my overall score. So I wonder if they really only see the public details or they see the whole ordeal. Would my job not be a positive? Working for ——— (edited for safety)

edit: also anonymous calls are a no go. We are in a small town and I’m not British and my accent is very recognised 🤣

I also have an email from my current landlord saying how wonderful we have been for the last 5 years. We are moving just because he is elderly and wants to sell that also would be a plus??

Are you limited to just your current "small" town.

I only say this as actually finding another rental might be a struggle.  In a town near me there are only 5 properties available in the whole town!!

Is there much about, have you started looking.

Cheesephetamine

Yeah, due to my work. It’s ok I’m viewing two properties this week. I like one so hopefully I’ll get it

Cheesephetamine

Update: the agency and landlords accepted our references. I can see that they did a soft search against my report and asked directly if I had any bankruptcy, iva or ccj. As I don’t have any we were fine
they did reference both of use separately