Some housing associations do credit checks, but not all of them. It depends on who runs the property and where you live.
If they do check your credit, it’s usually just to see if you can manage the rent – and it’s not as strict as the checks done by banks or private landlords.
If you’ve had money problems in the past, don’t worry. A low credit score doesn’t always mean you won’t get a home. Let’s look at how it works.
A housing association is a not-for-profit group that offers homes to people who need help with housing. They charge lower rent than most private landlords.
Housing associations want to give people safe and affordable places to live – not to make money.
To get a home through a housing association, you usually need to join your local council’s housing register. They will check if you’re eligible and then add you to a waiting list. When a suitable home becomes available, they’ll contact you with an offer.
No – not always. Some housing associations will check your credit. Others won’t.
If they do a credit check, they might look for things like:
They use this information to help decide if the home is right for you.
A credit check helps them see if you’ll be able to pay your rent. But it’s not the only thing they look at.
They might also ask for:
Yes – you can.
Housing associations understand that life isn’t always easy. They know that people can have money problems for many reasons.
If your credit score is low, they may still offer you a home. They might:
The most important thing is to be honest on your form and show that you’re ready to pay your rent.
Even if you have bad credit, there are other things that can affect how quickly you’re offered a home or where you are on the waiting list.
Besides your credit history, there are other things that housing associations and councils look at when deciding who gets offered a home.
They often use a points or banding system to give priority to people who need housing the most. You may get more points or a higher band if you:
The more points you have, or the higher your band, the sooner you may be offered a home. But waiting times can still vary depending on where you live and how many properties are available.
If you’re not sure what your council’s system is, you can ask them or look on their website – they’ll explain how they decide who gets priority.
If you’re struggling with debt, there are places that can help:
Getting support with your debts can help make it easier to find a home.
Getting a home through a housing association can be a great option – especially if you’re on a tight budget or finding it hard to rent privately.
While some housing associations do check your credit, many look at the bigger picture too. A low credit score doesn’t mean you’ll be turned away. If you’re honest about your situation and can show you’re ready to pay your rent, you still have a good chance.
And if you’re ever unsure, don’t be afraid to ask. The housing association or your local council will be happy to explain what checks they do and how the process works.
You’re not alone – and there is support out there if you need it.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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