Electoral Roll (merged)

thorkild

Hello all.

I am a Norwegian citizen who moved to the UK about three years ago. I have a perfectly normal credit report with nothing majorly negative on it. A couple of late payments perhaps, but no defaults or anything serious.

Now to my question. I am going to buy a house later on this year and I will obviously have to get a mortgage. I am slightly concerned about being turned down for not being on the electoral roll. I would of course register but due to not being a EU citizen I am not allowed. Is there anything I can do which would show up on the credit search explaining this fact?

It hasn't been an issue in the past. I have had a personal loan (albeit through the same bank as my current account), a PCP through Audi, a Capital One credit builder credit card with a £200 limit (I got it within a month of moving here, spent up to the limit and paid it off over a few months) and two other proper credit cards. I know I probably shouldn't worry, but I would be gutted if I was turned down for a mortgage (or offered a high APR one) when I find the house I want.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thorkild

thorkild

anybody?

What about you Martin? Please.....

Thorkild

DiggingOut

I know a non-EU citizen who was able to get a mortgage without much trouble. So I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect. If you are going to get into credit card tarting, it might hinder you some, but if you establish a good credit history I don't think this is as important as some people think.

thorkild

I am sure there are examples, but I just want to be sure. Not being on the electoral roll classifies me as a second-rate applicant as far as I can understand it. Why would anyone bother to be on the rolls if not? To vote? Yeah right! ;D

It's actually quite ridiculous as I have exactly the same rights as any other citizen of Great Britain or the EU when it comes to everything else. No work permit needed, eligible for NHS, eligible for benefits but when it comes to buying my own house I am classified as a higher risk by mortgage providers due to them relying heavily on the electoral roll.

Sure I can get personal loans and credit cards, but I always have to provide extra documentation and I am never offered the best rates! So you can understand why I want to get this sorted prior to getting a mortgage.

Sorry! </Rant over>

Thorkild ???

MSE_Martin

There is a procedure for non-EU residents to register with the credit reference agencies as proof of residence and right to work. IT means applications are looked at but generally improves your chances - get in touch with Equifax & Experian.

Martin

thorkild

That's the kind of answer I was looking for...

Thanks

J_Master_General

Help!

I moved house at the beggining of the year. I knew that to get a decent credit rating I'd have to be on the electoral roll, so I registered. I recieved a letter in April telling me I was on the roll, and everthing in the garden was rosey.

About 2 months or so ago I was declinded a credit card. This has happened twice, so I decided to pay Equifax for a credit rating. I noticed that my rating wasn't brilliant, and the only thing against me was... my electoral roll status. I was a bit confused ??? by this, so I contacted my local authority (who said I was on the roll) and then Equifax, who sent this response:

"...We can confirm that you are on the Rolling Register as from March 2004.

Unfortunately, we are unable to display Rolling Register details on the
MyEquifax Credit Report at present as this information is held in a
different format than the Full Electoral Register...."

I called them, and they said it would be about 4 months before I would be on the roll. >:(

Everthing else on my score is fine,

My question is, since this really is a problem to...

What can I do to get myself on the roll quicker?

Equifax seem pretty unwilling to help, so are there any grounds I can press the issue on?

Spendless

I had this prob about 10 years ago.

The electorol people gave me a ref no

I then had to quote this no when applying for credit.

Don't know if you'd still be able to do this,but worth a try.

Debt_Free_Chick

It's also worth speaking to those who decline you a card to establish the reason why. If, indeed, it is purely related to the electoral roll you can explain - often, they will conduct a further check and then offer the card.

roadrash

Hey,
I had this issue all about two months ago!

First, dont panic, this can be recitified easily.

All you have to do is send a letter saying you wish to be put on the electrol roll, and you should of been on it as of X date, asnd include the letter you get sent from your council confirming this.

This is what I did, after speaking to my council, Experian and Equifax. It will take about a month to be sorted.
And Equifax and Experian should send you a letter confirming it has been done ;D

J_Master_General

Thanks guys/girls...

I phoned the Electoral Roll, and they don't give REF Numbers - But cheers for the advice. They said that they give the credit references updates every month.

I'll post out the letter and see if that works. The thing is, they know I'm on there. They've even told me that... but they just seem unwilling to update myt credit score.

I've told them I have the letter from the council, but they just seem like they want to wait until October's roll comes out, and then it'll be January before my rating increases!