Poor Credit Rating since I moved out of Student Halls?

davidkp_2

Right, I'm a newbie so please go easy on me. I recently moved out of student halls (as the conditions were horrendous!) and moved into a house share with my girlfriend. The room itself is fantastic, but since I've moved it would appear that my credit rating has turned sour.

I tried getting a new contract phone with orange as well as applying for a new HSBC bank account using my new address, but these both told me I hadn't passed the credit check!

I have always been extremely careful with my credit and never missed a payment for anything. The only thing I have ever bought on credit is my satnav, and I never missed a payment for it.

When I tried buying the new contract phone I was referred to Orange's fraud department!

I'm pretty sure this is all to do with the new address, but how can I avoid being tarred by the same brush as the other people who I share the house with? And more importantly, will this be a problem even when I move away?

MrsManda

The first thing to do is probably join Credit Expert, or experian and check your credit history. Providing you remember to cancel it afterwards, it won't cost you anything.
Make sure everything on there is correct. I'm sure you are able to disassociate your credit rating from someone else's such as the address you are currently living at. But first you need to know precisely what the problem is as though it is likely to do with your new address, it's not certain.
Have a look at MSE Credit Rating for more advice. Are you on the electrol register at your new address? Did you leave your previous accommodation after the contract finished?

Gingernutmeg

I thought credit ratings were no longer based on your address, but on your name? I would have guessed that your credit rating is more likely to be low because you're a student (easy to find out if you have a student bank account), and because you've moved a couple of times in the recent past (and presumably changed your contact details with your bank). Both of those things can adversely affect your credit rating. Also, have you put yourself on the electoral roll? Not being on that can affect your credit rating, and it's an easy thing to forget to do, especially when you're a student.

Lokolo

You should have kept your main address at home!

Makes things 1000x easier.