possible poor credit rating

emerald_penguin

Hi all, I desperately want an abbey zero credit card for my holiday in New York this summer, but I'm frightened of applying because i think my credit rating is probably very poor.

Bad points:
My experian credit report says I'm not on the electoral roll for my current address (although I've been sent voting cards in my name for all elections since I've lived here ?!?)
For some strange reason I'm still financially-associated to my ex (who has a seriously bad credit rating), even though we've had no contact for over two years now, and have never had any joint finances together - we have lived together though.
I have a default from an overdraft on my old hsbc current account, but this was satisfied over two and a half years ago.

Good points:
I have lived in/owned my current flat for two and a half years.
I have an abbey mortgage, which has no late payments, and a cahoot account (a division of abbey) with an overdraft facility which has also been well-maintained.
I am employed as a teacher and have been working for the same school for four years.
I also have savings and live within my means - the reason I want the credit card is that I feel it will be safer for a lone female traveller than carrying cash.

What do you think of my chances of obtaining this credit card?
Any advice for improving my chances?

Thanks in advance

thriftymomma

Ask the CRA's the remove the associaton if you no longer share any joint financial commitments.
A defaul is seen as badly as a cjj by some so I would doubt that you will get the top top deals to be honest. Though you already have a relationship with Abbey so your internal behaviour score may push you through. Good luck.

Moggles_2

My Experian credit report says I'm not on the electoral roll for my current address (although I've been sent voting cards in my name for all elections since I've lived here)

Clearly, something's adrift here. You can inspect the electoral roll at your nearest public library.* Pay particular attention to the way first name(s) as well as surname are recorded. Also an extra line may be inserted/omitted or the order reversed, where new build, a house name or a block of flats is involved. You'd be surprised how often this happens.

When you apply for credit facilities, bank accounts or to the credit reference agencies, ensure your name and address matches the details as they appear on the register.

* If you opted out of the edited register (which is sold to anyone who wants to buy and which may be viewed in a public library), you can check the full version at your local electoral registration office

emerald_penguin

Firstly, I have never had any financial commitments with my ex. As he was constantly unemployed, rent agreements for previous properties and my mortgage, as well as all bills were always in my name alone,

Secondly my flat is a new build property - so I will look into whether the address is listed differently to how I write it... thanks for that, I would never have thought of it.

Moggles_2

For some strange reason, I'm still financially-associated to my ex (who has a seriously bad credit rating), even though we've had no contact for over two years now and have never had any joint finances together - we have lived together though.

If you share a financial product with someone else (eg. joint bank account), then you are financially linked and the poor management of their affairs could certainly have a knock-on effect on your credit rating, but simply living at the same address has no effect whatever.

Whilst you remain linked, lenders are likely to view you as too great a risk. Once your affairs were separated though, you could write to the credit reference agencies and ask for a notice of disassociation, to stop his credit history affecting yours in future and vice versa.

thriftymomma

Did you ever apply for a joint credit facility, even if you didn't get accepted, as that creates an association too. The CRA's are quick at disaccoiating though if you ask.