When I started my present contract in Nottingham, I needed a place to live in during the week. I found a nice flat in an old converted mill that was well furnished and at a reasonable rate. For convenience, I decided to rent the flat under my company name but had to jump through some hoops such as credit checks and references before being able to do so. Even though the company has been around for 6 years, it’s only fully been used in the last 2 years so at the time had little solid credit history. In the end, I had to pay 6 months rent up front before the letting agency would let me move in which wasn’t a problem and was actually quite convenient. I’ve got to admit, though, that the entire process made me feel a little like I was in the wrong – like I was some sort of scam artist or potential criminal.

When I got a telephone line connected, I had to pay an extortionate fee to the provider for the privilege but I was assured that this would be reimbursed by my letting agency so that was alright. I sent them the receipt and, surprisingly quickly, got a cheque back in the post which was duly and promptly banked.

This is where things start getting a little weird.

Because it’s highly likely that I’m going to be renewing my contract here, I’ll need to extend my tenancy. I’m also thinking of upgrading the flat so that the family can come and stay in a little more comfort. (Four of us trying to live together in a one bed flat is neither comfortable or conducive to a happy family, we discovered last week.) So I checked the letting agency’s company website to find out the current prices and availability of 2 bed flats. The website was gone. I rang them up. Straight through to answer phone.

Then I received a letter from my bank containing aforementioned cheque, emblazoned with a big red “Refer to drawer” stamp across it. This, apparently, is a euphemism for “big, rubber and bouncy”.

This morning I rang the site manager of the flats, a very friendly and amenable woman who is always very helpful, and asked her what was happening. It transpires that the letting agency has gone into receivership and that the bank is now controlling the affairs of their properties. I asked her if there was going to be any problems with either renewing my tenancy or letting another apartment and she assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem and that things were running as normal (and that our deposits were protected in an insured location or something) but that the company, as was, no longer existed.

Considering all the credit cheques and doubts about the veracity and integrity of not only my company but that of my parents (who acted as referees on my application) and their company when I applied for the tenancy, this turn of affairs is delicious irony. If I do renew my tenancy, it might be me asking for a credit check on them.