Are you starting a business and worrying about your credit history? You might have questions about how to improve your credit so you can apply for a loan or you may just find the whole thing confusing. Here Val Buckingham from Fredericks Foundation answers some of the most asked questions about credit history and how you may improve it…
So what does my credit history tell you about me and if I’m good to apply for a loan or credit card.
Your credit history is a record of your attitude to debt , such as if and when you’ve applied for it, whether you’ve paid it back, and also if you have defaulted on any payment arrangements such as utility bills, phone contracts etc It can also reflect a lack of credit history if you’ve just turned 18, been living abroad or haven’t actually taken out any credit in the last 6 years
So, does having little or no credit history affect my credit score?
It does because your credit score reflects your ability to get credit – the lower it is, the more you may struggle to get approved for loans or credit cards And iff you have little or no credit history, this may negatively affect your credit score.
You’re probably thinking that’s a bit odd. If you’ve never needed to borrow money before and you have no debt, surely, you’re the perfect person to lend to? The thing is, most companies like to see a good track record of sensible borrowing – it helps them decide if you’re likely to pay them back on time.
Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to get a high score without having used credit – even if you’ve taken other steps to improve your rating, like registering on the electoral roll. And since you often need a good score to get approved for credit, you may feel like you’re stuck in a ‘catch 22’!
It’s worth noting that some people may have a low score because of negative influences on their credit report, such as late payments. If this is the case for you, there are ways you can improve your score.
What if my credit history isn’t in the UK?
Sadly, credit scores can’t cross borders. So, if you’ve built your credit history in a country overseas, you’ll effectively be starting from scratch when you come to the UK.
UK credit reference agencies (CRAs) like Experian build credit reports using information about UK accounts – so even if you have a perfect credit score overseas (whether it’s your home country or you’ve been living there as an expat) it won’t count here.
If you’re looking for credit in the UK, make sure you have a copy of your overseas credit report and offer it to lenders, as it may help with your application. You can also follow the simple steps outlined below to build your credit history.
Where can I see my credit history?
You can see your credit history using any of the three UK CRAs. Each CRA creates their own credit report based on the information they have access to. This means your report may vary from one CRA to another, depending on what information they hold on you.
How can I build up my credit history?
No matter if you have no credit history, a poor credit history or are moving to the UK from overseas, there are lots of simple steps you can take to build your credit profile and improve your chances of getting credit.
It’s important to know that it may take up to six months to start seeing the benefits of these actions. It can take time for some information to reach the agencies, and things like opening a new bank account or getting a credit card can lower your credit score initially, before helping it improve.
- Get on the electoral roll. It’s quick and easy to register on the electoral roll, even if you live at home or in shared accommodation. Companies use this information to confirm your name and address are correct and up to date, so it’s crucial to building your credit history. If you’re not eligible to register on the electoral roll (e.g. you aren’t a UK national), you can add a short notice of correction to your Credit Report explaining why.
- Open a bank account. Having a bank account and managing it well shows companies you’re financially responsible and starts to build your credit history positively. If you have an overdraft, stay well below the limit (using no more than 25% of it is a good rule of thumb) and try to pay it off as quickly as possible.
- Get a credit card. If you’ve opened a bank account and are managing it well, the bank may also be willing to give you a credit card to build credit. Paying it off on time and in full each month will help build a positive credit history and improve your score.
- Take out a small form of credit. This might be a mobile phone contract or store card. They’re usually easier to get accepted for than credit cards but can still demonstrate your ability to pay your bills on time and be financially responsible.
- Manage your household bills well. Looking after your utility accounts (e.g. water, gas and electricity) can help build your credit history and show companies you’re responsible. Even your rent payments can boost your score, provided you make them on time and in full .As well as taking the steps above, it’s important to protect your credit history and score from damage.
Here are our three top tips for keeping your score healthy:
- Set up direct debit payments. Late or missed credit payments can lower your score and may stay on your report for up to six years, so paying bills on time is essential. Consider setting up direct debits for your payments to ensure you don’t accidentally miss one.
- Limit your credit applications. Making lots of applications in a short space of time can make it look like you’re desperate or overly reliant on credit, so try to space your applications out. A maximum of once every three months is a good rule of thumb but remember that lenders’ criteria may vary.
- Only use a small percentage of your credit limit. If possible, try to use no more than 25% of your available credit, as a higher balance may reduce your score. So, if you have a credit card limit of £500, try not to spend more than £125 on it.
Finally, when building your credit history, it’s useful to keep a close eye on your credit report and make sure it’s always up to date and correct.