Hi,
I've been on an IVA for about 20 months now. I have a very solid budgeting plan these days and find it quite easy to stick to using a very simple home budget plan (aka THE SPREADSHEET).
I was hoping my current tenancy would last for the IVA duration to save me the obvious pains (been here 6 years already so far) but it looks like to protect my family I would be wise to relocate asap. My landlord of over 6 years has just been taken to court for not paying the mortgage and he's been given 3 months to clear a five figure sum! I'm not to sure he'll manage it. I'm not sure how he was allowed to accrue that much in arrears in the first place. I've never missed a rent payment.
Most letting agencies will insist on a credit check for me, my wife and my mother in law so that's £200 straight away. Both my wife and mother in law are about 50% the way through their own DMPs. When the credit search results arrive, they'll be wanting 3 to 6 months rent in advance and a guarantor by most accounts I've read so far. I have no other family that could be guarantors and very little in terms of savings/money so I'm unsure of how I can remain homed from September onwards
My only hope is to be honest and up front. I'm taking the next few days off work as a holiday in order to work my way round the town's letting agents. I have my previous landlord's letter of reference (also for a 6 year arrears-free tenancy at my previous house). I also have all the copies of my last 6 previous yearly tenancy agreements although I doubt I'll get a reference from my current landlord taking all into account at present. That's over 12 years of letting proof/references. I've also been promised a repayment conduct letter from my IP to arrive possibly tomorrow.
I could try a private landlord instead. Indeed I did over 4 weeks ago when I first found out the news regarding the repossession hearing. However, due to a Landlord's family crisis just before we were about to sign a tenancy the whole thing fell through a few days ago. Doh.
Any advice at all from people who have experienced this situation?
I'll report my finding/responses later.
Komakino