Looking to move - Credit checks!

Kenjiin

Hey everyone, first time posting

I'll try and make this as short as possible and get to the point.

I've lived in my apartment for 2.5 years now, the majority of it alone, and then my girlfriend moved in with me around 9 months ago and we're looking to move to a bigger place.

My credit score has never been great. The biggest concern being a default I had with a credit card back in 2011. I've since moved into my current apartment and had no problems, and that was in 2011 when the default was fresh... but I'm a pessimist :P

That's the only major concern on the credit report. I have another credit card which is kept in check, phone contract and contents insurence, bank accounts etc that are all in good standing.

I once had a scare with a CCJ with the water company, got a letter come through from a North Hampshire court or something, scared the living daylights out of me! Spoke to them and asked if I paid in full would the CCJ still stand, they said no and so that's what I did. No CCJ's on any of the 3 major credit check websites I've done.

Also I'm not on the electoral register currently, how quickly would I be able to be put on it so that it appears on my credit report and how much is it likely to improve my score?

Anyways, went off on a tandem. We are looking to move in the next few months and I'm just a little worried I might be turned down by an letting agents, even though I've never missed a month's rent since I've lived on my own!

I've only just recently found out about a "public score" though. Where letting agents and landlords can only view public information such a CCJ's and bankruptcies etc. Is this true? My public score is almost 300 score better than my private one

Do you think I would have any trouble when It comes to letting agencies credit checks? That's really only my main concern. If they can only see public information then I should be Ok, no?

Thanks in advance (Failed to keep that short)

Kenjiin

Lil' bump

Could really use some info here guys! I'm not overly keen on paying £250+ on fee's just to be declined. Am I thinking along the right lines? Because apparently my Experian report is very poor... annoyingly no rest history posted on there.

If they only see CCJ's, bankrupt accounts etc then I should be OK right? I moved into this studio flat after my default, so hopefully that's some indication.

forgotmyname

How longs a piece of string. It may take weeks or months for your name to appear on the register.

Then you have the issue of only being at that address for a very short space of time which a lender may see as not stable enough to lend money to.
Will a letting agent see it the same way?

Your default will still be on the credit file and if it was 2011 they still have a few years too chase you and take you to court for the payment.
But it wont be currently showing as settled.

BP1987

Just inform the letting agency when you view your property, i have no credit history at all and i managed to get mine without any problems.
My friend has a very poor credit rating he's had a tough couple of years financially and he starting to sort it out he asked the agent if he could talk to the landlord to explain his situation and they were fine with that he didnt even have a deposit and the landlord agreed to spread the first months rent over a few months to help him out. Bear in mind though that the property had been up to let for a few months so i think the landlord was pretty keen to get it occupied. so if you find yourself worrying i'd be honest with the landlord about your credit from the start im sure they'll understand.

Tixy

Kenjiin wrote: »

If they only see CCJ's, bankrupt accounts etc then I should be OK right? I moved into this studio flat after my default, so hopefully that's some indication.

You are right they only see public information such as that you have listed above and whether you are on the electoral roll or not.

If you have a few months before moving then I would contact the council to be put on the rolling register.

Apparently today (14th Feb) is actually the deadline for getting your data to the council to appear on the register from 17th Feb. It then typically takes another 4-6 weeks for this to be updated by the credit reference agencies. (some councils seem to be quoting 7th Feb as the last date but worth checking with your local council).

If you get the form to the council by 10 March then you will appear on the electoral roll from 1 April (and again perhaps 4-6 weeks more for this data to be updated)