Electoral Roll

DarnIt_3

What difference does it really make whether you are on it, or off it?

Tixy

Some lenders will automatically decline if you are not on the electoral roll. Its not impossible to get credit if you are not on but its certainly easier if you are.
And even if you can get credit not being on it, it might well be cheaper credit if you were (as you would probably be deemed to be more stable and therefore lower risk).

Jib111

Well for a start I'm pretty sure it's an offense not to be on it.

As the poster above me as said you'll have a much greater chance of being accepted if you're on the roll.

Personally, I wouldn't dream of applying for a card if I wasn't on the roll.

udydudy

Jib111 wrote: »

Well for a start I'm pretty sure it's an offense not to be on it.......................

I do not think it is an offence not to regiter. but not registering when asked to is an offence. I picked this from the electoral commision website FAQ

You need to be on the electoral register to vote in all UK elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered even if you pay council tax. If you receive a request for your registration information from your local electoral registration office then you are legally obliged to respond. If you do not respond, or if you provide false information, then you could receive a £1,000 fine. Not being registered may also affect your credit rating

If you are resident at an address when they send you the form and you do not fill up then it is an offence. I guess(though not 100% sure) that, if you say move house just before the local authoriity sent your address the registration form and the authority where you move in has already completed theirs then it is not an offence to not register as you were not residenta t an address where a request for registration has been sent.

The disadvantage is that as electoral roll information is there on each individual credit file(where registered) this also does add weight to your credit file and provides the lender with an added assistance of proof of address in terms of it matching what you fill out on the lenders form. and the longer the registration period at an address provdies proof of stable address which improves credit scoring as compared to omeone who moves house every 6 months(even though registered at each address).

DarnIt_3

Well I have NEVER been on an electoral roll, I used to chuck the forms in the bin, I have been in my home for 15 months and only just registered! I will not appear until August though!

I finally managed to get a credit card before going on the roll...but of course they wanted proof of address.

I have been refused for more credit that I think is currently out there! Whoops! Even vanquis said no...despite never having bad credit! I am hoping that going on the electoral roll and having a CP1 card for 6-12 months will help me be considered for a better APR card.

boogiemaster

Unless your hiding from debt collectors then why wouldn't you be on it?.

What's this about?

To get credit, be it a loan, mortgage, credit card or even mobile phone contract, it's essential to be registered on the electoral roll before applying. Many people assume they're automatically registered, or don't bother doing it. Yet not being on the roll will have massive implications on your credit worthiness.

Plus, for anyone in England and Wales, it's vital to be registered before 16 April if you want to vote in the local elections on 1 May.

How do I register?

If you're not registered, or even if you're just not sure, visit the AboutMyVote website and type in your home postcode to find and download your local authority's registration form. Print it, complete it and then simply send to the address at the top of the form. It takes about 3 minutes and you're done!

Why does it affect my credit rating?

It's one of many factors that does. Credit reference agencies use electoral roll information to confirm your identity, which is then passed onto lenders when you apply for credit, to prevent fraud. Thus, if you're not on the roll when making an application it'll appear that you don't exist, or you're starting afresh with no credit record; both will have a negative impact.

To read more about the things that affect your credit history, and how you can go about checking and improving it, read Your Credit Rating guide

Who can register?

Although you can't vote or get credit before turning 18, anyone over the age of 16 can register provided they're a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/758777 Search helps

DarnIt_3

I was never on it because I never understood the importance of it and I don't vote so never thought anymore of it. :S

smartiedriver_2

Darn It - whilst this isn't a political website in any way, shape or form, you really should take advantage of your right to vote.

book12

Some people on here are not on the electoral roll and managed to get credit. Don't know how they pass the credit check.

I would still put your name on it though. It's very easy to do.

Foreign nationals can get credit in this country (provided they are here for more than 3 years - i.e. UK residents) without being on the electoral roll as they are not UK/commonwealth/EU citizens. If they can get credit like that, I'm sure UK residents can too without being the electoral roll.

[Deleted User]

boogiemaster wrote: »

Unless your hiding from debt collectors then why wouldn't you be on it?.

I was not on the electoral roll for a few years as I was working as a contractor and I could not risk being called up for jury service as it would have been very expensive for me in lost earnings.

agrinnall

[Deleted User] wrote:

I was not on the electoral roll for a few years as I was working as a contractor and I could not risk being called up for jury service as it would have been very expensive for me in lost earnings.

What a disgusting response. If you're ever the victim of a crime I hope the defendant gets off because the court can't find enough greedy b*st*rds to be on the jury (I speak as someone who served on a jury while I was a contractor because it's my civic duty to do so if required).

And by the way, it won't cost you anything, it just means you'll get paid a few less quid.