MPs back move to add rental payments to tenants’ credit scores

Millions of tenants may soon be given a leg up onto the property ladder following a debate in parliament yesterday afternoon led by MP Paul Scully (pictured, right). An all-party selection of MPs sat down in Westminster Hall to debate an e-petition raised earlier this year calling for on-time rental payments to be recognised as evidence that mortgage re-payments can be met. Created by Plymouth roofer Jamie Pogson (pictured, left) during a ‘rant on the way to work’, the ordinary-sounding petition 186565 went on to be signed by over 147,000 people and gain its day in parliament. The debate included several high-profile MPs including Stephen Barclay, the Economic Secretary to the HM Treasury, who spoke on the government’s behalf. He gave Pogson and the millions of tenants desperate for any help on to the property ladder a strong signal that lenders may soon be compelled to add tenants’ rental payment to their credit histories. Stephen Barclay said he agreed that rental payments should be one of the key pieces of information included in credit files, and that he would talk with interested MPs with a view to proceed with a solution. “A gentle nudge to encourage the credit referencing sector…