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xmas baby
Average Member
537 Posts |
 Posted - 28 January 2010 : 16:13:44
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Hi there,
I wonder if anyone could give me some advice on this matter please?
I am considering moving from my present privately rented accommodation and I have spoken to local letting agents about their policy on bankrupts. From what I have learned, most of them expect 6 months deposit or a guarantor when someone is applying during bankruptcy. I will be discharged (hopefully) in early March and I think as long as I take proof of my discharge, then the same rules will not apply as I will be discharged and no longer bankrupt. Is that correct? Obviously, I will be up front about my past bankruptcy as any credit checks they carry out will still fail for the foreseable future. My sister would be willing to fork out the necessary 6 months rent if really needed, but as I will be discharged I don't see why this rule would still apply anyway. Another thing is, if and when I do move, my rent is likely to be higher than I am paying at the moment. Do you think I would have a problem getting my IPA altered to take this into account or will they ask me why I am moving into more expensive accommodation? The reason for moving is that I currently live in a housing estate and it is not particularly nice place to live with gangs hanging around outside and my partner was nearly mugged the other evening. We just don't want to hang around until something really does happen. We have already had all the tyres on our car slashed.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
xmas baby |
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xmas baby
Average Member
537 Posts |
Posted - 28 January 2010 : 16:16:01
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| By the way, my present IPA is £241 per month and my rent is £265. The rent might increase to £350. |
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gettingoutofdebt
forum expert
2418 Posts |
Posted - 28 January 2010 : 16:42:43
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Whether you would still need to pay an additional deposit is up to the rental agency. If they do a credit check then even though you are discharged your rating will still be pretty bad.
I don't see a problem moving into a place with a higher rent so long as the rent is not excessive for the area you live in. |
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Housing
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1399 Posts |
Posted - 28 January 2010 : 16:47:32
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Hi,
You say you are in the middle of a housing estate at the moment.
Are you a tenant of the local council or a housing association? If so, then you will have a "secure" tenancy and that is a lot to give up for an assured shorthold tenancy that may only last 6 months. You do say you are a private tenant at the second sentence - is that an ex council property that has been sold and now let to you?
When I was an estate and letting agent, we used to house BR without too much problem and they always paid - better than some so called professionals with "nice" references! We were in the minority though I have to say.
When you are discharged, they may be more relaxed, particularly if you have a good record of payment with your current landlord.
Things that you could do:
Go to the local housing department to say you are vulnerable where you are living and ask if they can assist with re-housing
Make a complaint to the local environmental health department /police if you are suffering nuisance
Complain to the police (separately) about the crime
Go on the councils waiting list or on the waiting list of local housing associations - using the need to move for safety/health.
I would be very reluctant to pay 6 months rental in advance - there is simply no legal justification for that simply because you are BR (or a discharged BR)
It is very nice of your sister to offer to assist - maybe an agent would accept her as guarantor instead and just pay the deposit and one month as normal!
The other option is to find a privately rented property without an agent - i.e. direct with the landlord - they are more likely to accept you without the "extras"
On the IPA, I am not an expert in this area, but I am sure someone from the forum will be able to assist on that aspect
I am not sure if what I have said is of any use, I hope so and wish you lots of luck to move to a safer environment.
Regards, Richard
"Life is generally something that happens elsewhere" (Alan Bennett - author and one of my best heroes!!) |
Edited by - Housing on 28 January 2010 16:49:30 |
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jonnym
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 06 February 2010 : 21:03:54
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Hi,
I got a similar response from a letting agents when we looked into moving last summer (we will not be discharged until March this year), but in reality we have been very fortunate.
Due to circumstances we have moved twice whilst bankrupt. The first house we secured via gumtree, and were not even asked about our credit, and paid the usual 1 months deposit. We then moved again last month. This house we got through a letting agent. We submitted a letter with the application providing a bit of back ground on our situation, had a meeting with the landlady at the property, and again secured it with only a 1 month deposit.
I think we have been lucky, but I also think people who have lived a bit, tend to sympathises with your situation rather than judge you. When that is the case a personal meeting can help. It is also worth remembering that from a landlord perspective, a bankrupt, whether discharged or not, is more likely to be a long term tenant as they are not going to be able to buy a place for a while.
Good luck,
Jonny
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