Credit referencing

[nackers]

I'm about to be referenced by an agency via Letsure. I have a good secure job and easily earn enough to pay the rent and I am confident that my current landlord will give me a good reference.
However, they will see CCJs on my credit file from over 4 years ago, a couple of which I am still paying off by monthly instalments. I was then fresh out of university, stupid and earning half the money I'm on now. What do you think my chances are?

[justaboutsane]

When we reference our tenants we see what the CCjs are for. If they are not rent related then we may or may not take a chance... if they have a few at several addresses then we would shy away from them, we understand that ppl have hard times.

But I can only answer for ourselves and not others!

[Daytona]

However, they will see CCJs on my credit file from over 4 years ago, a couple of which I am still paying off by monthly instalments.

Yes they'll see them as they stay on file for 6 years.

You could always run a credit check yourself and see. Either use letsure or the Experian (http://www.tenantverifier.com) credit agency has a popular one. A cheaper way is to look at your credit file upon which the credit checks are based. Experian (http://www.experian.co.uk/) offer it online for free on their 30-day trial period. The other 2 main agencies you can send a data subject access request with a check for £2 each to Equifax (https://www.econsumer.equifax.co.uk/) and Call Credit (http://www.callcredit.plc.uk).

[nackers]

Thanks, I have seen my report from one of the agencies and you can see 2 cleared CCJs (cleared a year or two ago if I remember rightly) and one that is still being paid by monthly instalments.

And if I could just let off steam for a moment, what I find really frustrating is that what the credit reference report says is black or white. It does not tell you why I got in a mess and people don't pay attention to the fact that they were nothing to do with the rent. I was on very low pay and I've learnt my lesson. Since then I've cleared what I can and continue to maintain monthly payments on the outstanding debt. I would never get myself in that situation again and furthermore I'm earning twice as much as I was then. But still I have to go back to my mum and ask her to guarantee me because of stupid mistakes I made 3 or 4 years ago or even just be turned down flat even with guarantee - I have never missed a rent payment and have great references from my current agency!

..And relax.... :)