Improving credit rating after BR

Katy_M_2

Hi All

Posting on behalf of my boyf here.

He has been discharged from bankruptcy for a while now and has a simple bank account with no overdraft, cheque book or debit card. He just has a cash card (nationwide)

He's applied for basic bank accounts elsewhere to see fi he can get a payment card but keeps getting turned down, He went to the CAB today and they suggested he obtains all 3 credit reports - which we are in the process of doing. We are looking at renting a flat together but the CAB advised us not to attempt this through estate agents/letting agents as he would not pass the credit checks.

So catch 22 situation - he can't improve his credit rating because he can't get any credit anywhere. (he is on low income as is currently claiming incap benefit) Any suggestions from people who have been through the same??

Thanks in advance
Katy xx

philnicandamy

depends on how long he's been discharged?.....bankruptcy sits on a credit file from 6yrs of the date you appeared in court making most credit VERY difficult to obtain..

i'd suggest the credit file cleanup when his files arrive....that'll help a little

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=677875

then look at one of the 30day rolling mobile contracts...one of the vanquis or capital one credit cards BUT these have a sky high rate of interest so use it then pay off in FULL every month..

has he tried co-op or barclays for a basic account? these are NOT usually credit checked so if he's refused those then something on his credit files is incorrect....OR he's not on the electoral role?

Katy_M_2

Thanks

I'm not sure how long he has been discharged - maybe only since April 2008 - but I'm not entirely sure.

He has applied for Cap1 and Coop and been refused for both

He is on the electorol role for def - I already got him to check that a while back.

He has a CCJ on his Experian File which he wasn't even aware of until we ordered it a few months ago. It was to do with a joint benefits claim and his ex received the money without him knowing - he went to the CAB today to see if he could appeal it but it doesn't look like he can :mad::mad:

Would that be causing a major problem??

Guess we'll just have to wait for his files to come through again and will follow the steps on the link you provided. It's so frustrating for him though, he's trying so hard to get himself back on track but keeps getting knocked back.