How far back do lenders check?

scotsio

I have lived 6 years at my current address with a perfect credit file - not a single missed or late payment for anything whatsoever, HOWEVER, I have 2 defaults which are 5 years old at a different address.

This is because i didn't pay the bills when I left my previous address and it took a while for creditors to default me at that address. 1 default is for £51 the other for £66. The previous address is not linked to my current address on my credit file.

My question is if I were to apply for a mortgage would the fact that I have lived at my current address for 6 years be enough to suffice? Or do you think the lender might see these defaults?

Dave_Ham

Until the defaults are 6 years old from registration, they are in the public domain. Whether a lender finds them and links will be dependent upon the lender.

If your credit has been good since, chances are based upon the value that this would be mitigated by many high street lenders.

Good luck

Crashandburn

If the addresses don't link and show on a credit file, then the lenders won't see this as you have to give a 3 years address history.

However, most lenders have the question relating to whether you have had a default in the past and so you would need to answer yes to this.

I would say that you would hope that £51 and £66 default five years ago would be ignored as long as the rest of the case is strong

scotsio

By public domain do you mean that there is a register similar to the one for ccjs?

Dave_Ham

I mean that they will be recorded and if linked, associated or explored at a previous address then they may detect.

Hard to detail as there is not really a definitive answer...