Estate Agents and credit checks

littletyke13

After over a year of searching for a decent house with an agency/landlord who accepts housing benefits I have finally found something nice for me and my daughter. Its through and agency. They knew from the start i was receiving full housing benefit and that I was able to provide a month rent in advance plus a months rent deposit and also provide a full time working guarontor. So this morning they have phoned and I told them that I am interested in the place and then they come and hit me with , "you and your guarantor will need to have a credit check at £55 each" The thing is I will never pass the credit check, I know that I have 2 CCJ's from a few years back when my life was s*it and I had problems! Why would they need this from me when I am providing a guarantor, I would of thought it would of been the guarantor only that needs checking. Not sure why im writing this only that I needed to vent as its made me upset. Thanks for listening.

Doozergirl

If you have a guarantor then your credit history shouldn't be so much of an issue - but your guarantor will need to be pretty clean.

This is how it works, I'm afraid. People want to know about the people they let their property to. What is often important is honesty. If you tell them that you have CCJs and what you've done to sort yourself out, they will be more understanding than if you pretend everything is fine. If you simply walk away without having the checks carried out then you'll never know. I'd ask if you could speak to the LL directly perhaps before you pay for the checks.

dazed_2008

Hi, we have rented recently and they do now credit check everyone involved. The cost of it is a complete pain but it seems to be pretty standard.
My brother was in a similar position and as long as the guarantor goes through without any problems then I don't think it's an issue...I understood that that's the reason the guarantor is in place.
Please don't worry too much, as long as the guarantor is clear there shouldn't be a problem.

sealady

We have just started renting a property and hubby has a recently settled satisfied CCJ and we told the agent up front and they were fine with it! Make sure you do tell them about it! Most agents are use to this kind of thing now days

littletyke13

Oh thanks for your replies everyone. I have been completley up front and told the letting agents and said that I would never pass the credit check but my guarantor would, I have also explained that I have been privatley renting for 2 years and that my current landlord would give me a glowing reference. They are going to get back to me. Fingers crossed.
Thanks

Doozergirl

I'm sure you'll be fine.