This is my first time on the forum. I have been in an IVA since July 2009.
Me and my girlfriend wanted to move in together and when we talked about it I was very up front and told her about my IVA.
I was worried my IVA would affect my chances of renting, so I rang up the company I have it with and they told me that my IVA shouldn't affect me being able to rent somewhere with her.
We found a flat we love, and last night went to the letting agency and put down a small amount to secure the property. The agency then asked us to fill out an application form each, on which I noticed a line which read:
"Have you any county court judgements, court decree, bankruptcy or administration orders?'
I am unsure whether I need to give details of my IVA here.
Although me and my girlfriend both earn good salaries I am scared that I will fail the credit check and in turn lose the flat and the small amount we put down. We are yet to pay the admin fees etc but plan to do that this week, when we return the application forms along with the following, all of which I can provide:
Proof of I.D and address
Confirmation of employment
personal character reference
Could you please advise on what sort of credit check the agency are likely to do and the other options we have if I do fail?
That question is very specific, and so long as you have no CCJS you could honestly answer it "No". However if the letting agent then perform a credit check and find the IVA, they may be upset that you did not disclose it. Honesty is the best policy - and as most people enter into IVAs because they want to sort out their finances, I a, sure that you will be acceptable as a tenant.
Thanks Melanie. That's good advice. I'm just a bit worried because I don't want to let my partner down now that we've secured the property.
I pay my IVA on time every month and also have a car loan, and insurance etc which are always paid on time.
I will speak to the agency and see what they advise. They seemed very keen on us having th eproperty and my partner has a good credit rating and higher income then me anyway
I am sure that your IP would give you a financial reference if necessary. I would be more than happy to do this for any of my clients should the need arise.
Hi - I rent and there are lots of options if the iva shows up on file. (1) offer a higher deposit (2) offer a guarantor (3) pay six months upfront (4) your girlfriend rents in her sole name and you pay your share to her. This said, some letting agents do a minimal check which only shows br and ccjs - so they wouldn't find out about the iva.
thanks for the advice. If I'm honest I don't think points 1, 2 and 3 are a choice so if my credit check does fail, point 4 might be the best option.
Like I've previously said, I'm just scared of letting my girlfriend down, and not knowing exactly what type of credit check the agency will do makes me feel very nervous.
I've never missed a payment since taking out my IVA and before that only missed 2 in total so just hope that might help me
You won't let her down. She obviously loves you just as much with the iva and understands what this entails...so if she isn't worried you have nothing to worry about. Money is only one small part of a relationship and I'm sure there are a hundred ways you help her out! My boyfriend has money but no time...I have more time than he does but no money...we're like a jigsaw that fits together helping each other with what we need. Not in a gold-digging sense!!
thanks broke of london. Thats a really kind thing for you too say. I spoke to the agency this morning and they seemed understanding. They are going to look into it and get back to me so I will keep you posted on how it goes
As Melanie has said, honesty is always the best policy so you should be upfront with the letting agent and tell them about your IVA. This might cause problems but if your girlfriend is prepared to have the agreement in her name alone, this could be the answer. Alternatively are you currently renting a place through an agent yourself? If so you could ask them to give you a reference confirming that you have been a good payer. Failing that, I am sure your IP will write you a reference confirming what you can afford to pay rent wise.
Thanks James Falla. No I'm actually at home with my parents at the moment. Like I said, I stop to the agency this morning. I had to explain what an IVA is to them. They seemed understanding and recognised that I'm paying it regularly so hopefully that will be enough and we will still get the flat
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
They will probably inform the Landlord and see what they say LST85. If the landlord is OK with it, the agent will not have a problem.
Given the landlord may not understand what an IVA is, why not just confirm with the agent whether they will speak to the landlord and if so that you can give an extra reference from your IP if necessary. Can't hurt to cover all the bases.
Good luck and let us know how things go.
Last edited by James Falla on Fri Dec 17, 2010 6:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
