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Credit history/score question

Hi folks,

I am currently working overseas but will probably return to the UK towards the end of year. I have 2 active UK credit cards.

In preparation for my return where I will probably need to obtain a mortgage, I am concerned about my lack of credit history while I have been away, as this will probably make it harder for me to get a mortgage.

Since the beginning of the year, I have been putting some low value transactions through every month on both credit cards and then repaying them off fully when the amounts are due.

My questions mainly are:

1. Is this all worth doing? Will it make a significant difference?
2. Does the value of the transactions that I put through make a difference to my credit rating. i.e., will it be better if I swipe higher purchases and then pay it off fully?
3. I have a current account that has an overdraft on it. Will this account be included when generating my credit score? If so, should I make sure it is in overdraft occasionally to generate activity?
4. Is there anything else that I can do to help "prepare" my credit history/score for mortgage applications?

Thanks for your help.

OneForTheMoney

Comments

  • CannyJock
    CannyJock Posts: 3,838 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My questions mainly are:

    1. Is this all worth doing? Will it make a significant difference?
    2. Does the value of the transactions that I put through make a difference to my credit rating. i.e., will it be better if I swipe higher purchases and then pay it off fully?
    3. I have a current account that has an overdraft on it. Will this account be included when generating my credit score? If so, should I make sure it is in overdraft occasionally to generate activity?
    4. Is there anything else that I can do to help "prepare" my credit history/score for mortgage applications?

    1. Yes. Nobody can say for sure, but worth it IMO.
    2. Nope
    3. Yes. Nope, use of overdraft won't help.
    4. Get back on the electoral register, hopefully you've retained a UK bank account during your time abroad so you can report X number of years with the same bank.
    "A child of five could understand this. Fetch me a child of five." - Groucho Marx
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