Trouble opening accounts - lack of credit history ?

symbio

Between my partner and I, I thought we had a good credit history. We have decent salaries, a mortgage, a bank account, savings accounts, credit cards, utility bills, car loan (recently paid), contract mobile phone, etc. We have some outstanding credit card balances but no history of arrears on any account, no overdraft, nothing up to its limit.

2 years ago we moved into rented accommodation and let out our house. 1 year ago we moved into different rented accommodation with our house still being let. We are both on the electoral roll at the current address.

A month ago, sadly we decided to separate. I applied for a bank account from First Direct and was refused. The letter said it was due to risk scoring, that they used Experian for their credit reports but that nothing untoward was found.

My partner then mentioned that when they tried to buy me an iPhone at Christmas from Orange, they set up the account in my name but that the account was refused. When they set it up in their name it was fine.

I’ve got a copy of my credit report from Experian and it appears fine if a little bare. It confirms my current account with my partner (although they are not mentioned) which is 4 years old, not overdrawn, no status problems and an approved overdraft. It doesn’t mention any other credit accounts (I have one credit card in my name from MBNA that’s not listed) or any products I have jointly with my partner. It also doesn’t mention a recently closed account (a car HP which has recently been settled although it is indirectly listed as a recent address).

If I had just been rejected for the bank account, I would have assumed it was simply because I was in rented accommodation (the form didn’t give me an opportunity to say that I did own a property) and because I put my marital status as separated. However, the fact that I was rejected by Orange too (without being separated) is now concerning me.

Although my partner and I have our bank account and mortgage in joint names, we actually have very little debt or credit other than a couple of credit cards in my partners name. I guess some of the utility bills are in my partners name although many for our current rented property are in my name or joint names. My partner doesn’t seem to have a problem obtaining credit and was clearly fine getting the phone I was refused for.

I’m not sure where this leaves me. If I just apply for another bank account and get rejected, I understand that’ll ultimately be another black mark on my credit history. However, I obviously need to do this somehow now we’re separating. Frustratingly, I have a good salary and in real terms would seem to pose a low risk. If there is nothing bad on my account, I can only assume the problem is that there isn't anything good in my own name either other than my bank account.

Any advice would be welcome...

Symbio

pmduk

If your partner tried to open an account in your name, it's probably a good thing it was refused, if only because nobody should be able to open third party accounts.

bev309

Was your OH the 'main' account holder on all of the credit you had together? IF so, then this may be the problem?

book12

You could try opening a basic bank account. Here's a list of them: http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf