Credit rating - still poor after 2 years

wiseshark

Zakath wrote: »

I don’t expect a special treatment, I expect a fair treatment. My colleagues who came to the UK later than I did all have normal credit cards now (and they have similar circumstances – steady job, monthly salaries, rent one room inclusive of bills, etc.) and they never had to go through this rubbish – hence why I say there seems to be something wrong with my case, but I can’t see it on the credit report.

Your colleagues may have similar circumstances, but doesn't necessarily mean people in similar circumstances are treated the same. There are many factors creditors take into account when assessing and reviewing credit such as a persons age, amount of salary, outgoing expenses, moving around, their postcode, what they are spending on i.e. gambling, entertainment, visiting the pub and many other factors.

Don't be disheartened or frustrated, as Tixy said, three years credit history is preferred.

Having a lot of mail order accounts is also viewed negatively. Different CC and banks have different credit scoring. Be positive. Good luck.

Zakath

Thanks everyone for your responses and support, this explains a lot and yes, frustrating in the key word here.

Is there anything you recommend I do in the short term to somehow speed up the process? I was thinking of:

• Renting a place without bills included and managing them myself, including council tax
• Applying for a small loan and paying it off, although no bank will probably give it to me. Are there any alternatives which won’t damage my rating in the future (I heard payday loans do)?

Appreciate the help.

[Deleted User]

The only thing you need is time.

Use your credit card regularly, stay away from the limit, pay off in full each month. Then perhaps apply for another card in 6 months if the limit is that important to you.

Don't start taking loans for the sake of it - you don't need to pay to have a good credit history. And never take a PDL.