Need to find somewhere to live - Part II

SuzySu

After my (slightly disappointing) meeting with the Housing Needs dept at the council today, I am still trying to find a place to rent once the sale of our house goes through in a few weeks.

I have posted on the House Selling board, but they are not the quickest bunch around for replying, so I thought I'd ask here as well.

Do letting agents always do credit checks and, if so, how do I know whether I will fail. We have been in difficulties for a few months now, but previous to that my credit history was good (I think). It's only recently that thing have gone bad as far as missed payments go. Will a previously unblemished history count for anything?

I may have found the perfect property to rent that is in my area and will accept pets (we have a cat and a choccy lab) and can afford the rent. I will still have to find 2.5 months rent up front plus legal fees, but I have no choice. The council waiting list is 4 years in my area. Other than that I have to go into B&B with the kids - just can't do that.

Is there any way I can find out what the agents might find out (if that makes sense). I did try that free credit report thingy, but it made no sense to me. Is there anything that I can look at that puts things simply?

Thanks in advance.

silvercar

You could ask the agents, they won't want to waste time credit checking you if they know you will fail.

If you are likely to be claiming HB or LHA, the letting agents should know which landlords would consider you.

SuzySu

No, I won't be claiming HB or LHA. That's the point tho....how will I know whether I will fail. Obviously I don't want to raise their suspicions unnecessarily but don't want to waste money going through this process if I can find out some information beforehand.