Updating post from Reddit.
Hello,
I posted here a few days ago asking how screwed I would be as an applicant with CCJs etc and thought I would post here to update.
As expected we failed referencing with any larger letting agents. Even with declaring everything up front, providing certificates of satisfaction and the CCJs being over 5 years old so almost off credit report it wasn't enough. We offered rent in advance from documented house savings and a guarantor as well but it made no difference.
In the end we found a property on OpenRent and met the landlord directly. Explained the situation, provided evidence etc and because we got to meet him he was happy to proceed as he realised that it was a minor issue from 5 years ago and we were very financially stable now. A reference from our current landlord explaining he had no issues with us at all and was only serving notice because he needs the house to live in helped too.
We signed yesterday and move into the property on the 1st August and it's such a relief that we've been able to sort it out.
Oh I’m unsurprised you ended up having success on Openrent! I remember commenting on your previous post and I should have mentioned that most sound people market via Openrent. The landlords on there are (generally speaking) real people who are able to approach these things case by case rather than agents who will disqualify you for not meeting an algorithm because your case will void their rental insurance.
Yay! Congratulations!💓
5 years clear would be fine with me. Up front rent would help along with guarantor. Everyone deserves a second chance.
They would likely not pass the rent guarantee insurance benchmark though? What would your thoughts be?
This is the problem. The industry refusing to insure, leaving LLs with no choice but to refuse.
Yeah that's exactly why I self manage my rental via Openrent. My current tenant also failed referencing, but because of no credit history (she was from New Zealand was all it took to fail 😂).
Great to hear you’ve found someone who could look past the numbers on a page.
I do think you’ve gone about this the right way, and meeting a landlord and discussing this helps to build trust.
Congrats!
Congrats, hope you have learnt the lessons of the past and don't repeat them. Good luck in your new home.
More the pity that this government and the last one are driving the entire market into the hands of corporations - ie these very agents and their friends why will act to corner the market as owners.
Glad youre sorted, but for others reading, we are coming to an end where LLs can be flexible and consider on a case by case basis. The Renters Rights Bill, if it passes as is, will finish off any chance of ‘less than perfect’ tenants being able to rent.
Clear proof that agents are scum and not needed in the rental game. Get rid of the useless tw*ts and everyone use OpenRent or other platforms.
Don’t say ‘yes but’, this is just one of shrouds d reasons why agents aren’t needed