As somebody who is returning to the UK after a 20 year absence, I can tell you that zero credit history is a complete bloody nightmare. Search all you like, there is nothing. More money than I know what to do with, yet forced to bypass estate agents who treat you as a third class citizen somewhere far below housing benefit applicants, and on a pay as you go mobile phone. Thankfully I maintained a UK bank account, because I'm sure they would look down their nose at me as well.
I'm not surprised - a prime example of the "computer says no" era that we live in. I know they have to have systems in place, but you would think if you were able to demonstrate funds there would be an amount of common sense applied
As I was touring my chosen area and staying in hotels while I found a place I liked, and as notice has been given on my continental address, one estate agent described me as "unemployed and of no fixed abode" and it would likely be a very big problem. Obviously reluctantly, they made an appointment with present tenants for me to view, and called two hours later to say it had been cancelled and they would get back to me with a new appointment. Still waiting two weeks later.
Yes, common sense.
One estate agent said they were unable to register me as an applicant because...wait for it....I don't have a UK postcode for their system and no credit record. So there you go, if you don't have a UK address or credit history, you can't have a UK address. Not via UK estate agents at least.
Two years ago I bought a house in the UK. An estate agent in the north of England reliably informed me that the funds I showed to prove I was able to pay for it were not acceptable because they were not in UKP in a UK bank account, despite being enough Euro to cover the purchase several times over.
She had made that one up on the spot, there is no requirement for the ability to pay to be linked to cash in a UK bank account in pounds, as I pointed out to the MD of the chain by quoting the requirements of the organisation that he is a member of. I don't remember now, but the national body for estate agents.
The year before, given how cheap UK goods were in Euro terms, I went through the usual rigmarole of transferring a few pounds from a six figure UK deposit account to the current account so I could withdraw cash to purchase a laptop, as I had long ago forgotten the PIN to use the card in the shop. That had never been a problem before given they refuse to send a PIN overseas.
I had with me.....
Passport.
National photo ID card.
Multiple bank cards.
A print out of the transfer showing I clearly have online access.
Manager says no PIN no money, despite agreeing I was fully identified and acknowledging that they would not send a PIN to my home address.
His solution for this fully identified customer requiring a small amount from a large account?
That I give him a false address in the UK, and they'll send a PIN there.
With regard to returning to the UK.....
I have evidence of significant cash funds, more than enough to pay rent for life and in to the after life.
I have payslips from a US multinational showing a six figure salary for the last twenty years and a recent half million voluntary redundancy.
I have personal references from the branch managers of two banks, ING and Deutschebank, both inviting they be taken up.
I can show significant funds in various accounts, 300K on SS alone.
A google search of my name and previous employer will reveal yet more about me, showing my role in the Czech Republic in the last two years, plus my Linkedin page.
I have references from my lovely Belgian landlady.
I have no claims certificates for both my company car, private car and motorcycle.
Despite the above I face estate agents treating me like dirt because I'm an unemployed bloke of no fixed abode with no credit history, insurance companies that absolutely cannot accept any evidence of no claims from overseas, utility companies that want a deposit.
I think common sense went out of the window quite some time back along with the computer coming in.
After getting to the point where I could happily strangle some snotty estate agent that was not happy that I was not at least in receipt of housing benefit, I have had a breath of fresh air from the landlord I met. Straight talking, understanding and with common sense in oodles. He not only worked out that I was the best bet from his 12 applicants, he also went up the wall with the estate agent for the fees they were trying to charge me, for doing nothing. He got the contract with the estate agent changed reducing my fee considerably, and then went on to pay my share himself.
There is still some common sense around, but don't expect it if somebody has to run it past the computer and computer says no credit history. The sheer lunacy of a man standing there with cash to pay the whole deal up front being refused due to no credit history? World's gone mad.
