Updating post from Reddit.
Hello landlords!
Wanted some advice.. I am applying for a property, I’ve been upfront from enquiry that I have a ccj for £500 (not satisfied but being paid off). I am inevitably going to fail the Rightmove referencing.. I have rented for 10 years and have great references from all landlords. Will I still have a chance in getting the property or will the landlord just right me off?
Can you provide any other assurances like a guarantor or several months rent upfront?
Without those you’ll be at the back of the queue because if you can’t pay off a £500 CCJ immediately then that suggests you have 0 savings and in the event of losing your job for example have no way to pay rent or bills and you’ll not give a toss about getting another CCJ or ruling against you for non payment of rent because you’ve already got a CCJ and will have one on your credit report for the next 6 years.
I could potentially get a guarantor.
It’s not that I can’t pay it off. I could but I’ve been saving for a move and knew I’d need a deposit and expenses of moving etc so I thought monthly would be better until I’ve moved. And paying it off wouldn’t have removed it so the damage was done unfortunately. But I get where you’re coming from, but yeah I’ve never been in that situation where I’ve not paid my rent.
If you pay off a CCJ fast enough they are completely removed from your credit report for future reference.
You’ll need to look for a guarantor or save a few months rent upfront - I completely get that you’ve never been in a situation where you’ve not been able to pay your rent, but from a LL’s point of view thats exactly what everyone says before they find themselves in a position whereby they cannot. It’s just not a risk worth taking for most Landlords when there are always plenty of applicants without a bad credit report to choose from is all I meant.
Been there done that myself - no judgement from me.
It really depends on how competitive the renting is in your area. It was an absolute nightmare where i live. I had 20 years renting experience (10 years in my last place) a well paid job, no kids, no pet, don't smoke. Thought it would be easy, I was very close to having to move back in my parents....
I started pretending i had a wife who was on a work trip so I'd have to sign up on my own, dressed up smart for viewings etc... The onyl reason i found a place is the agent messed up the advert, they realised after i booked a viewing and changed the advert but only 2 people saw it on the first day (one of which was me)
Pay of that CCJ tomorrow, get a loan. A credit check against a £500 loan will be insignificant compared to a CCJ, but presume even paying it off won't make it go away entirely. You probably need to offer things like a couple months up front, higher deposit, offer above the current rent. Find a private landlord, move into a house share. offer a guarantor
It depends on the risk appetite of the landlord
Risk averse landlords rely on the tenant reference to qualify for landlord / rental insurance.
Clear the CCJ, provide proof that you pay rent on time, left the last property in a good condition without any deposit deductions and you should be fine.