Hi all,

I am moving to Brighton soon and am starting to look for new rental accommodation. I have never had to do the whole credit check/guarantor thing before - no idea why, it just never seemed to happen!  But, it seems that this is the new vigorous practice.

My credit rating is shot and will defo need a guarantor. The only person who fits the criteria is my mums partner - big money, homeowner etc. But!...He is literally like Ebeneezer Scrooge! He is so tight, and will seriously question how I will be able to afford a 600pcm rent commitment whilst being a student without a loan and a self employment status in a new city!

I could blatantly lie about my rent or say I have loads of work lined up, but I am in a creative field and work comes and goes, so he won't trust that. Also, I am not sure how much info he will have on the guarantor contract form regarding my self employment status and rent amount.

The only way I can think to get him to agree is to be honest and show him my accounts summary etc. And furthermore, explain the reasons why I have chosen this work.

Both him and my mum are liberal, they won't be offended or disappointed, they will just worry for me My mum in particular who has major anxiety problems. I don't want to cause unnecessary dramas if I don't have to.

I have been told that paying a couple months rent in cash upfront can butter up private landlords. But in all honestly, I am not in a good financial position at the mo due to paying my course fees.

This is going to cause many sleepless nights. Any advice will be appreciated. x

You are mentioning you have accounts? What the income is you showing? Tax return?
Some landlords agreeing to rent if they see solid tax returns or at least 3 months bank statements with sufficient income showing.

I was in your situation a month ago. Luckilly my friend agreed to guarantee for me, but one of the apartments I was seeing was approved only based on my looks I think!

With patients and preserving you will manage to get a place without a guarantor. Even if you did come clean to family and they didn't do. Then you will be in the same situation plus aggro from family at first for nothing. I did but with a landlord you need a guarantor especially for the more expensive ones are likely procedure. The landlord crossed it off and spoke to me between me and you belongs the rent is paid it is none of his business. He even said that can let the other room out so have two keys. I haven't done think will never. As my name will be at stake if caught with two girls legality.


Agencys watch out for... Sole landlords on gum tree I found much easier with more option.  I got knocked back a few times while looking and viewing properties but got there eventually.

In my opinion i would say ......Don't come out to your parents it will cause more grief than its worth. Its best to come up with another secret fantasy job/income to explain where the extra income is going to come from, than to out yourself to your family. X

can you not get a fake job referance?
 I am lucky that my day job covers my rent and my mum is my guarantor but when i took on my first flat a client of mine who owned a business set up a fake referance for me .

The last two flats i have had have done credit ratings , asked for bank statements and payslips so i think you are lucky if you havent been asked x