When to start rebuilding credit score?

sofababe

Most of my defaults are now gone from my credit file, the last 2 will go in 18 months, leaving 2 CCJs- one settled, one being paid.

I'm now wondering when it would be most sensible to try to rebuild my credit score. I've had a few of the high APR card application packs arrive on my door mat recently, which makes me think that my history is looking a little better now.

I have no intention of borrowing again, but I'm starting a new relationship and would like to think that I'm able to make a clean start financially too. My new partner knows I've had a lot of debt, and that its nearly all sorted, but I don't want to drag him down, if say we started living together etc.

So, is it worth me applying for a credit building card to pay off every month yet, or should I wait till the defaults are gone from my file?

Thanks for any help

dreamdreamer

I started to rebuild my credit score when my (one and only) default was 3 years old and my debt was down under £2k. All I did was get a credit building card and pay for the grocery shopping on it each month, then pay it off immediately. Last year I cancelled this card because I was approved for a mainstream credit card. I use this for any large purchases for the protection, and still for the food shopping then pay it straight off. My default disappears next year and I hope at that point my credit record will look near perfect.

The only thing I would say is be wary of linking yourself financially to your partner if he has a very good credit rating. OH and I still keep our finances entirely separate, he has never missed a payment on anything so if ever we needed to use credit we know he'd be able to get a good interest rate.

P.S Amazing weight loss!