Blog!ARU: Replies

I don't believe in omens, which is a good job when it comes to my move to Frome and how it's gone so far. There was the abysmal train trip, the bad interview, the divey B&B, the lack of flats to choose from, the tenancy papers that got lost in the post and now the credit reference agency is having a temper tantrum.

Despite (anticipated) good references from a past landlord and confirmation from my new employer that I do work for them for ?xyz income, they aren't happy with the contracting I've been doing because it's not technically continuous employment and they require 18 months of solid employment history. So the only way I can now finance the flat is to either pay all of the rent up front or get a guarantor to countersign the tenancy agreement that is willing to agree to their own personal credit check and a round of form filling. The former involves paying 6 months worth of rent in advance, the latter is not an option as the only guarantors that can go to Frome with me to sign the agreement in the presence of the agent are my parents and they are retired and don't qualify.

When I got my last flat in Bath I had ?100 to my name, had just graduated (second time) a few months before and had no permanent employment record, but this didn't phase the letting agent because I had verifiable proof of future income. Exactly the same applies again (bank balance is healthier this time though) but that aint good enough for the current agents so payment in advance is the only option remaining to me. That equates to all my savings plus loans from relatives. Sheesh, I must have walked under a ladder recently?