Credit Checks for Estate Agent / Landlord: Which Score to pass?

Katers_83

Hi, I am facing eviction because I have recently been served with a section 21 notice. There are some private flats to rent that look pretty good, and are within my price range.

However, due to the s21 I don't have time on my side, so I don't want to spend my precious time, which is in very short supply, going around the county looking at flats that I'd never be able to live in, if I would always FAIL the credit check. 

... I met an Estate Agent the other day on a viewing, and they told me the Credit Check would take place at the very end of the process, if the landlord had decided that I'm his best choice.

If my credit score is too low, I'd rather spend my time talking to the council to get my situation sorted ASAP. I have already spoken with Shelter.

Q >> What's the min credit score that would typically pass a check from an Estate Agent?

Within the MSE Club, my "MSE Credit Eligibility Rating" is 2.5 / 10 'Very Poor'

... apparently this is calculated from two ratings:

"TransUnion" which is 465 / 710 'Very Poor'
"MSE Affordability" which is 40 / 100 'Fair'

However, my "Experian" report is 755 / 999.

DEBTS: I have a historic debt to a credit card company (that i no longer bank with), and another debt with a utility company. 

However, i have a credit card and debit card (with bank) and no other issues. 

... Fortunately, I have no IVA, DRO, Bankrupcy or CCJ.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

TadleyBaggie

Since no one else can see your made up score, the question cannot be be answered. 

Voyager2002

I suggest you print out the file from Experian and/or Transunion and show it to an estate agent to see what they say.

A landlord would be very concerned about CCJs and would not welcome a record of late or missed payments. They have their own rules about income and affordability.

If you are eligible for social housing then by all means explore possibilities with the council and with local housing associations.

fatbelly

I presume Shelter told you that you do not need to move out because of a section 21. There is a process the landlord must go through

If you want the council to help, you must allow the process to go through or they will deem you intentionally homeless.

If you have no insolvency mark and no defaults, I cannot see your credit file causing s problem.

Mr.Generous

fatbelly said:

I presume Shelter told you that you do not need to move out because of a section 21. There is a process the landlord must go through

If you want the council to help, you must allow the process to go through or they will deem you intentionally homeless.

If you have no insolvency mark and no defaults, I cannot see your credit file causing s problem.

Staying put might impact the landlord reference, and also render you liable for legal costs.

The tenant referencing stuff I get to see looks at CCJ's, IVA's or debt management, and affordability. I've never seen anything that mentions existing debts. Things are tightening up now however, and many want access to all your banking to look at all spending and income.

Katers_83

Voyager2002 said:

I suggest you print out the file from Experian and/or Transunion and show it to an estate agent to see what they say...

Thanks, I will do this.

Thank you all for posting your views. It seems there is some uncertainty as to whether or not I should stay in the flat after the s21 deadline. 

I guess there are different pros and cons depending on whether the tenant goes down the path of asking the council for help, or tries to rent another private residence.

1. Leave the flat if I find another suitable property in the private sector. 

2. Or if that doesn't work, stay in the flat beyond the s21 deadline – and check the boxes with the council, but I might end up with legal costs and I am guessing a possible CCJ.

A failed credit check by an estate agent will no doubt scuttle "1", leaving me with "2" the council.

_Penny_Dreadful

Katers_83 said:

Hi, I am facing eviction because I have recently been served with a section 21 notice. There are some private flats to rent that look pretty good, and are within my price range.

However, due to the s21 I don't have time on my side, so I don't want to spend my precious time, which is in very short supply, going around the county looking at flats that I'd never be able to live in, if I would always FAIL the credit check. 

... I met an Estate Agent the other day on a viewing, and they told me the Credit Check would take place at the very end of the process, if the landlord had decided that I'm his best choice.

If my credit score is too low, I'd rather spend my time talking to the council to get my situation sorted ASAP. I have already spoken with Shelter.

Q >> What's the min credit score that would typically pass a check from an Estate Agent?

Within the MSE Club, my "MSE Credit Eligibility Rating" is 2.5 / 10 'Very Poor'

... apparently this is calculated from two ratings:

"TransUnion" which is 465 / 710 'Very Poor'
"MSE Affordability" which is 40 / 100 'Fair'

However, my "Experian" report is 755 / 999.

DEBTS: I have a historic debt to a credit card company (that i no longer bank with), and another debt with a utility company. 

However, i have a credit card and debit card (with bank) and no other issues. 

... Fortunately, I have no IVA, DRO, Bankrupcy or CCJ.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

As a landlord I wouldn’t see any of the marketing guff from Experian et al.

What I do find out is if you are insolvent and if you have any CCJ or decrees registered against you as they are a matter of public record. Tenant referencing services also confirm if they can verify if the current address you’ve put in your application is correct and will ask you to verify your income. As a general rule of thumb your income should be at least 30 times the monthly rent to pass affordability. 

Based on my own experiences I’ve had tenant referencing carried out via a letting agent where neither the current address nor the income were verified and the letting agent still tried to push the tenants on me. 

anselld

Katers_83 said:

Voyager2002 said:

I suggest you print out the file from Experian and/or Transunion and show it to an estate agent to see what they say...

Thanks, I will do this.

No, really, don’t do that.   You are just volunteering negative information which the Landlors/Agent can never get to see through a credit search.
They can only see public information so if you have no CCJ, IVA, Bankruptcy etc then you have a clean record.  They don’t see the detail or the made up score.
You will, however, have to pass affordability which would be assessed via your employer reference or payslips.

theartfullodger

There is no requirement or law that makes a landlord or agent do a credit check, get rating or take references.  

So dunno.  

FlorayG

Apply for the private rentals and see what happens. If you don't get any of them then stay where you are and keep applying; you do not have to leave until you either find somewhere or the LL gets a court order against you. Keep all the details of the ones you have applied for so that you will be able to show that you haven't just sat there and waited to be evicted, you have been trying very hard to find alternative accommodation; most decent LL understand about S21 and won't hold it against you that you have 'refused' to leave as long as you are a good tenant in good standing with rent and looking after the property
(The council will not even look at housing you unless you are forcibly evicted by court order)

Katers_83

fatbelly said:

I presume Shelter told you that you do not need to move out because of a section 21...

Sort of. They said
"A landlord must issue a claim for possession within 6 months of the date a section 21 notice is served, otherwise a new notice will be needed and it’s important to understand that a section 21 notice does not end your tenancy. Once the notice expires the landlord must apply to court for a possession order and a bailiff's warrant, before you are legally required to leave."

Although when i asked if the new Renter's Rights Bill might help me, he said that he didn't think the new bill would be likely to help tenants any time soon.

fatbelly said:

If you want the council to help, you must allow the process to go through or they will deem you intentionally homeless.

Do you have a link for this info please?

fatbelly said:

If you have no insolvency mark and no defaults, I cannot see your credit file causing s problem.

Okay, thank you.