joint card with credit issues

robster135

Hello,

My first post!

My girlfriend has just moved into to my house. We are trying to find a way for us to have some sort of joint account or joint pre-pay card or something so that we can pay for joint purchases together.

However, I was made bankrupt about 3 years ago and I do not want her to be associated with my bad credit rating (although actually it's not so bad now, I have rebuilt it quickly - but obviously the bankruptcy is on my record for another few years).

I was thinking of a pre-pay card and getting an extra card for her. Would that still smear her credit record?

Or perhaps there is another way?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Rob.

Hazzinho

What's the point of having a joint account? There is zero benefit, one of you pay and get the other to transfer their half.

izools

Yeah either of you could take out a sole account and just "treat" it as if it were a joint account.

Well done also on rebuilding your credit post BR quickly, it's nice to meet someone else who's been able to; seems to be a rare thing!

Have you managed to at least get yourself a full current account yet?

robster135

Hi izools,

Thanks for the reply. We could open an account and treat it as a joint account, but we really both wanted a card to be able to spend on. Either a debit card, or a pre-pay card or something?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

izools

AFAIK you can't get a pre-paid card in joint names, but you might be able to get a second cardholder on one.

Any real joint account would unfortunately create a financial association.

JohalaReewi

You could have a joint savings account that allowed online payments. This would not create a financial link and you could pay bills with it. It probably wouldn't allow direct debits or a debit card though.

For a card to spend on, if one of you has a credit card, they could apply for a second cardholder. You can then both use the account but it is not a joint account. The main cardholder is liable for any spending by additional card holders.

robster135

Thanks - that's really useful. I have a credit card, so I could get an additional card for my girlfriend. Would this definitely NOT create a financial link/association? Thanks.

JohalaReewi

robster135 wrote: »

Thanks - that's really useful. I have a credit card, so I could get an additional card for my girlfriend. Would this definitely NOT create a financial link/association? Thanks.

Additional card holders do not create a financial link. The additional card holder might be ID checked but the credit agreement is between the main cardholder and the credit card company.

Remember that if the additional cardholders run up a big bill, the main cardholder is liable.

StuC75

It wouldnt create an association since the account & responsibility is still with you..

robster135 wrote: »

Thanks - that's really useful. I have a credit card, so I could get an additional card for my girlfriend. Would this definitely NOT create a financial link/association? Thanks.