UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, I am new to this site but have been randomnly googling to see if I may get an answer to my concerns.

A bit of background:  I got divorced in 2013 and moved into a house with my son, I was earning a lower income and in essence could not really afford the rent, I managed to get by for a bit using saving but in the end fall into arrears but have agreed a payment plan with the landlord, I am still here but have £1483 arrears left.  The landlord and I have an agreement that anything left will be paid with the deposit.  Since falling into arrears I have a got a better paid job and am now happily able to pay the rent plus etc.

Myself and my new partner have found a house together, he is self employed and I have a CCJ and obviously the arrears so we have got my dad involved as a guarantor, do you think with all of this we will be accepted.  We have put down the holding deposit and paid the referencing but my stomach is now churning with worry.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

Many thanks

On the other side, I've let to people with CCJs... it's all about whether you're honest and upfront. Don't let them come to light as part of the credit check, as they will... and don't act surprised... and don't be not servicing them! For me it's turned out OK, but I have asked for 3 months of rent up front and a larger deposit.

People grow up. Mistakes are made. People can be unaware of a CCJ. A reasonable Landlord will know this, but might still be skittish. Are you just waiting for the referencing to highlight it? Not the best plan!

No I told them about the CCJ which is why they asked for the guarantor, my concern more is the fact that my current landlord will mention the rent payments that have been missed which he is entitled to do which would could jeopardise the whole thing.   Has anyone every rented a property with a not glowing reference,

Yes, your current Landlord is entitled to do that and, further, it is their responsibility to do so, really. When you say that could jeopardise the whole thing - it's not them, is it? They haven't not been paying rent on time or in full. The blame lies elsewhere, however unfortunate the situation. The CCJ is there to warn people about you (sorry if that just sounds awful, but it is)... so if you struggle now it is serving the purpose it was designed for, partially at least.

So, has anyone rented a property without a glowing reference? Of course. I make my own calls on the people I let to, because I do the viewings and I meet them. References only aid the decision-making process - a good one is noted, a bad one I've never received - it's not the done thing to go off on one, all you can do is answer the question like "was rent paid on time and in full" with a yes or a no.