So, you’ve found a great house or flat to rent, but you’re worried about your bad credit affecting your rental application. This can seem like a tricky situation, but it’s not as difficult as you might think.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of renting a house with bad credit in the UK. And we’ll provide tips on how to improve your chances of being approved for a rental property.
Table of Contents
Can I Rent with Bad Credit?
Yes, you can rent a property if you have bad credit. It’s just a bit harder than if you had good credit.
Landlords will do a credit check to help them decide whether to approve your rental application. If you have bad credit, the table below shows you what you can do to help.
| What can help | Why it can help |
| Pay a higher deposit or pay your rent upfront. | If you can afford it, this will help reassure the landlord that you’ll be a good tenant. |
| Get a guarantor. | This involves getting someone you know to guarantee that the rent will be paid. If you don’t pay it, they’ll be responsible for it. A guarantor gives the landlord confidence that the rent will be paid. |
| Go directly to a private landlord. | Private landlords are less likely to do a credit check because it costs money for them to do one. |
What Credit Score do I Need to Rent a House in UK?
There’s no set credit score required to rent a house in the UK. Landlords don’t tend to use your credit score when assessing if you’re likely to be a good tenant. Instead, they look to see if you’ve had any major problems paying for things in the past.
But your credit score does tell you how good or bad your credit file is. If you don’t know whether you’ve got a bad credit score, then check it. It’s worth doing this before you submit your information to a landlord.
There are three main credit reference agencies in the UK. You can check your credit score with them for free. They are:
If your credit score is poor, try to improve it. The better your credit file, the better your chances of renting the home you want.
Why do Landlords do a Credit Check on Tenants?
Landlords do a credit check on tenants to get an idea of their financial history. They rely on the rent as part of their income, so they want to know that you’ll be able to pay it in full and on time. Remember though, they have to get your permission before they do any credit checks.
If you have bad credit, all is not lost. We’ve all fallen on bad times at some point or other. Here are some things you can do to help when you know the landlord is going to do a credit check.
- Explain to your landlord what’s happened in the past and what you’re doing about it.
- Ask the landlord if there’s anything else you can do. Perhaps you could offer to make rental payments upfront or provide extra documentation.
- Be willing to give the landlord all the information they ask for. And be prompt when supplying it.
- Behave in a professional manner. You’ll create a good impression and it’ll help to show that you’re reliable.
What Exactly do Landlords Look for with the Credit Check?
In general, landlords do a credit check to look for 3 things:
- To verify who you are.
- To check that you have no adverse information on there. This could be County Court Judgements (CCJs) or bankruptcies.
- To see if your address history shows you as being a stable, reliable tenant.
If you have a good credit and rental history, you’re likely to have your rent application approved. If you haven’t, it’ll be more difficult to get approved. Take the time to improve your credit score and rent payment history before applying for a new rental.
Can I Rent a Flat with a County Court Judgement (CCJ)?
A CCJ is a court order requiring you to repay unpaid debt. If you have a CCJ against your name, it can make it difficult for you to rent a house. Landlords want good tenants, which makes them reluctant to rent to people with financial difficulties.
However, it is possible to rent a flat with a CCJ if you can do these things:
- You can provide some extra information to the landlord that shows you’ve been reliable since the CCJ.
- You can show that you’re making regular payments on the debt.
- You can provide a guarantor.
If you’re able to do these things, then you should be able to find a landlord who’s willing to rent to you. Even if you do have a CCJ.
How to Rent with Bad Credit and No Guarantor?
It can be difficult to rent with bad credit and no guarantor, but it’s not impossible. There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of getting the property you want to rent.
Here are some guidelines.
- Explain any County Court Judgements (CCJ) or bankruptcies that may be on your credit file.
- Provide a good reference from a previous landlord.
- Show any payslips that verify your earnings to show you can afford the rent. And be willing to give them any extra information they ask for.
- Rent a room in a shared house. As shared houses already have tenancies running, they’re unlikely to do a credit check on you. So, having bad credit won’t matter.
Doing these things can increase your chances of being approved to rent a house or flat. Even with bad credit and no guarantor.
Tips to Renting with Bad Credit
Here are a few things that you can do to improve your chances of being able to rent a property if you have bad credit.
1. Improve Your Credit Score
The first step to take when you have bad credit is to improve your credit file. This can be done by following these guidelines.
- Pay your bills on time. Any unpaid debts that lead to CCJs or bankruptcies will hurt your credit file. This will make it harder to rent the property you want.
- Build your credit history. If you don’t have much of a credit history, work on creating one. Consider taking out a credit builder credit card and you’ll soon start building a good credit file.
- Check you’re on the electoral roll. Being registered to vote shows you’re responsible. It also shows stability at previous addresses, and it helps landlords verify you.
- Put your name on some household bills and pay them on time.
By taking these steps, you can improve your credit score. Having a good credit file will make it easier to rent the house, flat or apartment that you want.
2. Look for a Guarantor
A guarantor is someone who agrees to take on financial responsibility for the rent if you can’t pay. A guarantor can be a family member or close friend who has good credit. They have to be able to afford to make the monthly rental payments if you’re unable to.
Having a guarantor can help you get approved for a rental if you’ve got bad credit. But remember that you’re still responsible for making sure the rent is paid on time each month.
3. Look for a Private Landlord
Unlike big letting agencies, private landlords are more likely to be willing to work with you if you have bad credit. They may just do a background check instead of a credit check. Or they may be willing to accept a higher deposit from you.
If you want to find a private landlord here’s how you can find one.
- Searching online listings like OpenRent or Gumtree. These websites list properties that are available to rent by private landlords.
- Ask friends and family if they know of anyone who has a place to rent.
- Consider a flat or house share or renting a room in an existing shared property. Spareroom is a good place to start looking for shared accommodation.
Make sure you ask the landlord any questions you have, and view the room, flat or house before you decide. Find out what their policy is on credit checks too before you start filling out any applications.
4. Offer a Big Deposit
Offering to increase the amount of money you’re willing to put down as a deposit is a good idea. It helps to show landlords that you’re serious about taking on the property responsibly.
It’s not guaranteed that offering a bigger deposit will always counteract bad credit. But it’s certainly worth trying if you’re having difficulty finding a place to rent.
5. Be Honest and Explain your Situation
Being honest and explaining your situation is the best course of action when you have bad credit. You want to be upfront with a potential landlord about your situation. That way they’ll see you can be trusted as you’ve got nothing to hide.
You should also be prepared to explain why you have bad credit. Tell them what you’ve done to improve your credit score. Landlords are more likely to rent to people with bad credit who’ve been proactive in trying to improve their credit score.
Final Words
Having bad credit when you want to rent a house or flat shouldn’t hold you back. There are still things that you can do to increase your chances of being approved for a rental property.
By following the tips in this article, you should be able to find a place to rent even if you have bad credit.
FAQs About Renting with Bad Credit
What is the Minimum Credit Score Needed to Rent a Flat or House?
There is no set minimum credit score needed to rent a property. However, a good credit score will increase your chances of being approved for a lease.
How Can I Improve my Credit Score to Rent an Apartment?
You can improve your credit score by:
1. Paying your bills on time
2. Maintaining a good credit history
3. Checking your details on your credit file are up to date and accurate.
Can I Rent with Bad Credit and No Job?
There’s no easy answer when it comes to getting an apartment with bad credit and no job. It is possible to find landlords who are willing to rent to people who are on government benefits. But you’re likely to find it hard to get an apartment that meets your needs and budget.
With bad credit and no job, you’ll need to do your research first. You may be required to put down a larger deposit or pay rent in advance. And be prepared to explain your financial situation to your future landlord.
Do Landlords Check Credit for Every Applicant?
Not all landlords do a credit check for every applicant. However, most landlords will run a background check when renting their property. That’s why, if you have bad credit, you may want to be upfront about it. It’ll be worth explaining what you’re doing about repairing it.
Can I Rent an Apartment with a Co-Signer?
Yes, you’re usually more likely to get an apartment with a co-signer if you have bad credit. A co-signer is someone who agrees to be responsible for your rent payments if you can’t make them.
Disclaimer: We are not providing financial advice. These are just tips for informational purposes. Also, we are not affiliated to any of the external parties linked here, they are provided for reference only.