Passing a Landlord Reference Check

Financefairy

Good afternoon,

Does anyone know what information a prospective letting agent can see on a credit check for a new property.

I am thinking of moving, earn enough with my partner to cover the rent and have good standing with my current letting agents.

I do, however, have a very poor credit score due a currently running DMP, which has 10 months left to run. I have not been declared bankrupt and have no CCJs but I do have an account which shows defaults but this account has now been cleared and closed.

The letting agents have asked about adverse credit such as CCJs, IVAs or Bankruptcy. I do not want to give them more information than needed, so wondered I should answer none to this question as I do not have these.

My understanding is that a letting agent check is only a 'soft check' and does not show debt levels, missed payments or current lending.

Can anyone confirm this before I get too excited about moving!!

Thank you

monkey-fingers

The checks that Letting Agents do will only show up
- CCJs
- DROs
- Bankruptcy
- IVAs

A DMP is an arrangement between you and a creditor. Whilst it's formal in terms of "Break it and you'll get a CCJ", the only thing that shows up on a Credit Report is a missed payment, which a Letting Agent can't see.

Ultimately, it can only do a Soft Check.

Financefairy

Thank you so much for clarifying this. I have none of the above so won't panic!

Whilst I want to be honest with the prospective letting agent, I didn't want to give them more information than they would need and jeopardise my chances.

gazfocus

another confirmation here that they won’t see late payments, dmp’s or defaults.

There are varying statements online (including on tenant referencing sites) saying they can see late payments and defaults but this is absolutely false as the only people with access to that information on your credit file is yourself and lenders.