Debt free shortly - long term implications?

Weleno

Hi all,
I have had a difficult year and learned the hard way that good honest working people can fall on hard times and end up with endless bills that can't be paid.
On the plus side, things are now looking up, I've been healthy for 6 months now and am back earning again! I have spent the last 3 months clearing credit card arrears, and setting up payment plans for the 2 cards that closed on me so that they will be cleared within 12 months.
Now that I am finally back in the green again, what can I do to try and recover from this credit rating 'bashing' that I've received?
Everything is now on DD and I will be debt free within 12 months. How long will it take for me to 'look good' to credit companies again? I'm concerned that my partner and I may not be able to buy our house in a few years because I have ruined my credit rating.
Can anyone give me any tips or advice on how to deal with this or improve my rating? We aren't looking to buy for about 3 years.
Thanks in advance

Frozenace

Great stuff!

It might be worthwhile checking your credit file at some point to see which loans are healthy and the ones which are not.

As long as you have a healthy deposit when buying and been keeping up on time payments or overpayments for at least 12 months, it should demonstrate your credit management abilities.

If you can control it, you could put your groceries on the cc and then pay it off at the end of the month.

beanielou

Things can remain on your credit file for 6 years so you need to check out your files with the credit reference agencies.

BeautyandtheBeast_3

hi things do stay on for 6 years but keep paying and try not to to get searched (one insurance company searched me - for my car - !!!!!!?!). well done xxxx