Renting with CCJ? What Can I do?

Hi everybody,

I have a question, I am trying to rent a flat with my wife but I do have 2 CCJ that are paid now, they were for some phone contracts it is a long long story not entirely my fault but not too much I can do about them now.
As I mentioned they are paid and they are under £3k, what would be the best thing to do to find rent? My wife has a great credit score in the high 900s and we are both having professional jobs.

Could I just apply for rent? Do I have a chance to pass the referencing?

Be open & honest with any potential Landlord about having them & why. Have proof at hand that they are now paid off. You could offer to pay a number of months upfront to prove your intent.

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Pretty sure you won’t pass the credit check to a standard that openrent would insure your tenancy.

I can only speak for me, but I suspect it applies to many others here that would be a deal breaker if insurance isn’t possible

However you only need one person to pass referencing if they also pass the affordability test solo. So that might be one thing to suggest.

Failing that maybe a guarantor would help.

Get a guarantor (homeowner in full time employment or pension) and be up front with LL during application. Provide proof that they’re paid off.

It would not deter me from giving you an equal shot at renting one of our properties, and I’m not the only LL who would give you a chance.

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Rent from landlords who own property outright. They don’t need rent insurance, so if you are upfront with them they won’t care so much. You can check on land registry if there is a mortgage or not.

I have some properties with Mortgages and some without, so it would make no difference to me whether the property had a mortgage or not.

That said, I understand Landlords who are highly geared are more likely to require the protection of a rent guarantee insurance policy, to protect their mortgage payments. However, it is not practical to check HM Land Registry for all advertised properties before you make enquiries, so you can only continue to make enquiries, be honest and expect some / many to decline you.

I own outright and insure. £200 seems to me to be a good deal to insure for a year or so of losses. Happy to let them carry that can.

Q Richard - only one needs to pass even on a joint tenancy?

Be prepared to prove that the CCJs were for phone contracts, because although I dont disbelieve you, its what everyone says.