A little help re credit file details.

Stinkster

Ok the main reason for my interest in sorting this out is that I want to apply for a Mortgage in approximately 5 months time (once my new jobs probationary period ends).

I moved into a new build house (rented) last November, at the time of moving in the estate agent confirmed the address and provided a tenancy agreement with the full address and we went about setting up utilities etc. It came to light that the council tax used a different address for our property, different road name and postcode. The confusion seems to stem from our row of 5 townhouses being built on a curved corner of two roads.

Situation is this, I have obtained my credit report to check on my wife and I's current standing. The address I used is the one which 90% of our utilites are setup in. We both scored well with experian (980) but were showing as not registered on the electoral role.

The other address variant has our council tax and electral role details on.

How should we go about sorting it out?

I have already asked the council tax helpline if they would change our address to match the 90% used version and they said no. Another point is that when we for example use a car insurance firms address finding software it finds the postcode for the council variant and not ours. Post arrives at our house showing both addresses and postcodes all the time without any going missing.

any advice appreciated.

Moggles_2

I have already asked the council tax helpline if they would change our address to match the 90% used version and they said no.

That's just as well, IMO. It's your details as they appear on the electoral roll and on voting cards, that count.

You can inspect the electoral register, if you need to, 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 like yours, a house name or a block of flats is involved. You'd be surprised how often this happens. In your case it sounds as though two different road names are in use. You need to choose the one that's on your voting cards etc and stick to it.

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

*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

Moggles_2

P.S. Getting this right ensures your electoral status and therefore the time you've lived at your current address can be corroborated. It also obviates the need to produce proof of ID every time you apply for credit or savings accounts.

More importantly, some lenders routinely reject applicants whose ID cannot be verified electronically via the CRAs, which in turn collate data using the electoral roll. An extra line inserted in your address (eg. previously unused house name) can immediately kibosh an application.