Accommodation Deals and Car Leasing

When it comes to vehicle finance, taking out finance for someone else is called accommodation finance and even if you can afford it, it is forbidden - despite not actually being illegal.

What Is Accommodation Finance and How Does It Work?

Accommodation finance is where a person takes out finance on behalf of someone else. For example, this could include a parent taking out a new car finance deal on behalf of their son or daughter. Put simply, if the person applying for car finance is not the main driver of the vehicle, then this is accommodation finance.

Why Do Finance Companies Not Accept It?

This applies even in cases where the person actually paying for the finance deal can afford the repayments.

Even though it may seem that the finance companies are turning down an opportunity, in reality it is all to do with risk - just as we explained in our blog on The Importance of Credit Checks in Car Leasing. Looking at it from the finance companies' viewpoint, it all revolves around the credit score or credit history of the person who will be driving the car. Even though it may seem an easy option to ask someone else to take on the rentals and promising to pay them back, it is really not that simple.

In most cases, the person who would be taking on the responsibility for the rentals is either a close relative (such as a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even brother or sister), a partner or a close friend - but if the relationship with them breaks down for any reason, then they are still responsible for the rentals and have (usually) no legal recourse at all to get the car back.

The Risk?

As stated above, if the person actually responsible for paying the agreement does not drive the vehicle, there is a greater risk of the finance company not being able to get either the car OR their money back.

Taking into consideration the fact that the whole concept behind accommodation finance is not illegal, the number of applications to finance companies that fall under the 'accommodation umbrella' has increased in recent times, and the lenders are now very aware of the risks. They are now more vigilant when it comes to credit checks, even to the extent that if an application is received from the same address as someone who has been declined, then it may not be approved as it arouses suspicion that someone is trying to obtain finance on behalf of someone else.

Fraud

If accommodation finance isn't illegal, what is illegal is not declaring that you are doing it. When it comes to the terms and conditions of a finance contract, there is usually a statement that the person taking on the finance is the main driver - and if you state that that is the case when it is not, that is fraud.

In this scenario, both persons involved (the one applying for the finance and the person they are applying for) could be charged with fraud in attempting to deceive the finance company. That could lead to a criminal record, and at the very least, a marker on their credit history that will affect future financial requests.

What is and isn’t allowed?

As every finance provider is different, it is worth checking the rules regarding accommodation finance before applying for vehicle finance as most will not allow any type of accommodation agreement. Others are a little more flexible, allowing it in certain circumstances such as below:

• Husband/wife applying for vehicle finance on behalf of their spouse - acceptable
• Parent applying for vehicle finance on behalf of their child (under the age of 21) who is living at parental home - acceptable
• Parent applying for vehicle finance on behalf of their child (under the age of 21) who is NOT living at parental home – not acceptable as classed as accommodation deal
• Parent applying for vehicle finance on behalf of their child (over the age of 21) regardless of where he/she is living - not acceptable as classed as accommodation deal

Once again, it is important that you check the rules regarding accommodation finance before applying for vehicle finance to ensure you are fully aware of the rules.

To find out if you are eligible for car leasing, take our brief interactive questionnaire before looking at what particular leasing contract type is best for you.