bankrupt and wanting to rent?

Question

Hi all hope you can help.

I declared myself bankrupt last year. My ex left me with a load of debt but infortunatley it was in my name. He stopped paying for it which consequently made a lot of trouble for me.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, im getting back on the straight and narrow. Ive now been made a permanent full time employee, earning good money with a pay rise on the way and ive seen the flat of my dreams!
I have put down a holding deposit on it whilst all the normal rental checks/paperwork are complete.
I have given them a character reference and also an employers reference as I can not provide six months pay slips. I also have a guarantor for this reason.
My guarantor has provided all the necassary documents required.
I completed my tenants application form and i noticed in the small print it said that I was authorising the estate agent to do a credit check. I have not mentioned that I am a bankrupt though.
Can I still rent or will i be refused?

Answer 1

I wouldn't think you would have a problem with the info you have given them and the fact you have the garantor

Answer 2

surely the landlord has a say in this and not a straight refusal by the estate agent.? Also, you say you are already bankrupt which means you have no debt now, right? This will all be under control with the insolvency now so if he refuses you tenancy after you have given him everything he requires and rent in advance, wouldnt this be grounds for complaint?
maybe i should have opened up a new question on this, its an interesting one.

Answer 3

The landlord can refuse you no matter what as it is their property and their choice who they wish to "take a chance" on.

However if your bankruptcy shows on the credit check and the agency disclose, the landlord may not want to refuse you due to this because you have shown yourself to be responsible now.

In any case if the bankruptcy does show the agent will prob not disclose as it means less commission for them and losing out on a perfectly good tenant which you are despite past problems.

So I think you will be fine. Good luck.

Answer 4

I suggest you be honest with them now before it comes back. Explain to them what happened and why you needed to do what you needed to do. Honesty goes a long way. If they reject you for that reason then it wasn't meant to be. As long as you have a good job and good personal references and coming clean about why you filed they probably will look past it and give you the chance that you deserve. Lots of people file bankruptcy because of exes who rake them through the coals....just next time your BF says "honey I want a new car but I don't want my name on it" just laugh and tell them to get a life!

Answer 5

I was in a slightly worse situation than you when I returned to the UK after 15 years abroad............no history whatsoever, as in zero status. I paid 6 months house rent up front through an agent and there were no checks done.........they didn't know if I was bankrupt or not and they didn't care...........the rent was safe and that was all that interested them.

Answer 6

You can still rent, but they may refuse you. I suggest you speak with the leasing manager about your situation. If you are a permanent, full-time employee, that will go far in showing you can pay your rent.

Answer 7

You should be okay as it's not as bad as you think to claim bankruptcy. As long as you have the first and last and everything is in order.

Answer 8

You should probably be OK. Did it ask if you went through bankrutpcy? If it did then call and let them know you were. If not you should be OK, but no promises