below average credit rating: how to improve it?

pigeonpie

We are worried that the credit checker on this site throws up a below average credit rating as in the next few months we will be applying for a mortgage. We currently don't own any property in the UK. In 40s, will be classed as first time buyer.
We have 3 joint credit cards, 2 of which are quite new but always pay off the balance. One of them is yet to be used in fact so has a 0 balance. Having said that, have done one balance transfer, but that will be paid off in 5 months.
Have been with bank and major cc co for years. Never in overdraft.
Recently moved back to the UK and am not on electoral roll as am renting unfurnished and will probably soon have to move flat/borough. In full time employment.

How much difference would it make to be on the electoral roll?
Only got one of the credit cards to finance expensive studies as a purchase as it was a card offering 0% interest for 10 months.

Was refused 1 yr credit by Dell a few months back as had not lived in the UK for the last 3 years. No account of your credit history in other countries seems to be taken into account. Nothing I can do about that.

Any suggestions most welcome as I'm worried won't get the mortgage we need. I am unhappy with my bank but I suppose it's not a good idea to move?

Alechjo

As MSE Martin says, there is no true for all credit rating, it is just some particular scoring you got. I believe not being on electoral roll and not being in the country for 3 years should have most impact on your file.

As for bank account - yes, it is better to keep the old one to show stability, but if you have no paying in obligations with your current bank you can open any other account and use it. Just state the old one when applying for mortgage. I have no experience of my own, but getting a mortgage is more straightforward than credit card as advisor would personally look at your files and think decades, not months. Just shop around and discuss your mortgage with different companies.

---lee---

Alechjo wrote:

As for bank account - yes, it is better to keep the old one to show stability, but if you have no paying in obligations with your current bank you can open any other account and use it. Just state the old one when applying for mortgage.

You will almost certainly have to supply your original bank statements showing the last three months transactions when applying for a mortgage, so using an old one won't be much use.

EDIT: Still handy to keep for credit card applications though as most won't want to see statements.