27 years old & I dont have a credit rating - help

nonexistant

I've been living in Canada since I was 19. I've never had any form of credit here in the UK so understandbly, i don't have a credit record of any kind.

I sent a copy of my birth certificate and passport to my local council and they've confirmed I'll now be on the electoral role at my address from 1st December.

My question is, how should I now go about establishing some kind of credit history. Which credit card company is most likely to give me a card and how soon should I wait before I apply? I'm not bothered about the credit limit or facilities, it's purely for establishing credit.

I'm also in need of a bank account. From what I've read, i won't be eligible for anything more than a basic bank account to start with. any recommendations on who to go with? I make about £24k a year which can be paid directly into the account if that makes a difference.

proof of address may also be a problem. I've only been back in the UK for a month. I'm a lodger in a shared house so none of the bills are in my name. All I have in terms of photo ID is my british passport and canadian driving licence. I can't think of any way round this so any suggestion would be appreciated.

a very frustrated ex-ex-pat
dave

asandwhen

It takes the credit reference agencys a while to update there records with electoral roll details - If I were you id open a basic bank account run it well with your wages for a while and apply for credit through them - if you are earning a decent salary and stay in the black they should start offering credit within 6 months or so.

grumbler

1. Current account. All banks and BSs offer basic accounts. Recently I was very surprised when my collegue (newcomer to UK, non-British and even non-EU citizen) managed to open not basic, but full current accoutn with Lloyds TSB. She was recommended by her friend and both of them receved £40 incentive too. If you have nobody to recommend you to Lloyds TSB, I can send you a voucher. However, recommendation in person by some other customer of the bank is always better. It is also worth having a good letter from the employer stating your salary and terms of employment.

2. Credit card. You can try applying for one of these: credit card for no credit history - just to build some history. Interest rate is irrelevant if you pay balance in full. I think Vanquis and Capital One Classic are the easiest to get but the former one has £19 p.a. fee, the latter one can ask for £200 deposit.