credit checks for estate agents

[tyjae100]

Hi could anybody advise me of their experiencies or if you just have any knowledge of the topic please.
I am currently renting a private house,through a private landlord(not through an letting agency) but am looking to move so I can be closer to my sons school,the problem is all the propertys I have found to rent in that area are through letting agencys,both me and my partner dont have the best credit history,we have defaults,but no CCJs or bankrupcys,would this make it impossible for us to rent though an agency?Most agencys are charging about �150 to do the checks on me and my partner which is a lot of money for us if we are likely to just get turned down.
Also we have been living in this private house for 2 years and 3 months and havent missed or delayed a single payment to date would this be taken into consideration?
Any help and advice would be much appreciated

[Twenty20]

It really should make no difference if you go directly to a landlord or through an agency, both should do a credit check on you. Individual landlord's tend not to charge for this whereas an agency usually does.

If you come back with a poor credit score then you could offer to pay a larger deposit or offer a guarantor (who would also have to pass the credit check).

A reference will usually be taken from your last landlord, and this may help you, though a poor credit score will probably override this.

There's a glut of properties on the rental market at present and this may work in your favour as the landlord/agent may be less choosy.

As a landlord, I think �150 is well over the top for something which only costs about �30.

[flyciderman]

Ask your landlord for a referance, this will show that you are a good tenant.

[weeal]

Get a reference from your current landlord this will be good for you.
I have never paid a fee to be credit checked and I have never had credit anyway, I supplied bank statements for 3 months to one agency and with a reference this sufficed.

Good luck

[cassa333]

If it looks likel;y that you will be refused a plqce because of your credit history then offer to give more as a deposit.

[tyjae100]

Thank you for all this useful advice,hopefully I will be able to make a positive move forward now.
It was good to hear from an actual landlord and have done some research and have found many sites where the checks are under �10 which is shocking compared to the prices the estate agents want to charge. I have lived in 3 private houses through landlords and have never had a credit check done as far as I am aware.
Can anybody name any estate agencys in Birmingham that dont carry out the credit checks?

[simonruss]

experian offer FREE access to your credit files for 30 days before they want a penny off you.

[Twenty20]

Rather than use an agent, why not try staying with a 'private' landlord? Places where landlord's advertise are likely to be the small ads in local papers or non agent web sites such as houseladder.co.uk. Or look at the ads in newsagent windows in the area, or a local supermarket.