Repair Credit Rating

There are steps you can take to improve your credit score or credit rating. The first, and simplest, is to check the files held by the credit reference agencies. Between them, Experian and Equifax carry out most of the credit reference searches in the UK. There is a simple procedure for asking for your details (see below). This is well worth doing, as mistakes do occur.

Assuming there are no mistakes on your credit file, the next step is to check that your other records are up to date. Some lenders are reluctant to grant credit to someone who is not on the electoral roll. The government recently changed the rules to allow rolling registration, so there is no need to wait to receive an electoral registration form.

Simple steps such as putting the phone line in the applicant's name and checking that all credit card companies and other lenders have your correct address can help. Beyond this, however, it becomes rather harder to improve your credit score.

This is where credit card companies who are less restrictive with who they offer a card to can help. There are some well established companies that will grant credit cards to people with a low credit score, and there is a (smaller) group that will lend to people with CCJs, or who have been bankrupt in the past. Companies such as Capital One will consider applications from people who are "credit impaired".

You can now check your credit report online.