Hi Bee.

Hopefully another member will be able to share their experience on this with you.

I'm sure all letting agents will give you a hearing though and allow their clients (the actual landlords) to make a final decision. Renting a home when you have a damaged credit rating is a natural worry, but we've never seen it to be an insurmountable issue for any member here over the last few years.

I currently rent a property via Countrywide Letting agency. I had told them that I had recently entered into a trust deed. They said they would still have to do a credit check and that if I failed I would have to either have a guarantor or be able to pay 6 months up front. However, I still passed their credit check so they either just judge you on your income or there was something wrong with the computer that day! I did ask what their criteria was and they said it was a normal Experian report they looked at.

thanks for that- did they ask for details about TD? and also did they say what they would need for guaranteer- my brother has good credit rating and would do it but not working at moment but he has a nice redundancy package to live in so doesnt need to work just now- would he be suitable

No, they didn't really care that I was in a trust deed. My boss was willing to be a guarantor for me as I thought I didn't stand a chance of getting through the credit check so she was in the process of filling out the form while I waited to hear. Countrywide's form asked about income and sought permission to do a credit check on her so I couldn't honestly say if passing the credit check would be enough. If you call a few letting agents and ask what they require of a guarantor in that respect I'm sure they'd be willing to give you the info you need. Your other option, if your brother has the funds and is willing, is for him to pay the 6 months rent up front and you pay him back on a monthly basis.

Hi-Bee, which area are you looking to let in? As a Landlord, I see the TD as evidence of finances being stabilised, some might not but the letting agent I use always allows me to make the decision before references are taken up (and fees paid) as to whether I am willing to accept that or a DAS or DMP if those are relevant.

I mainly let in West Lothian and a large number of Landlords in the county share information on the conduct of a tenancy, I weigh this more than a credit reference. I never let to anyone who has had neither an employer reference or prior landlord and I always ask for a deposit. If I need a guarantor, I need them to be referenced too.

Another suggestion re. paying rent upfront-Be aware that a lot of Landlords will be suspicious of this. Recent police advice re premises being misused as cannabis farms included the information that in almost all cases, the rent was paid upfront to lessen the Landlords' need to visit or inspect, allowing enough time for 2 harvests and several thousand in damages to the building.

Just some thoughts, let me know if you're looking in West Lothian?