Address problems affect credit?

spinnin

[Apologies for the length, it took a little time to explain!]

Ok, hopefully you guys will be better at understanding this than the credit agencies I've been on to...I'm planning on applying for a mortgage soon, so been doing the usual pre-checks to head off problems, and think I may have discovered one...

Basically, there are two versions of my address. (I tried to post a link to a bbc story which explained why, but can't post links as a newbie, if you're bored google 'bbc fermanagh townland' and it gives a better explanation)


The problem is is that I have never used the official (no, road name, town) address, but have always used the traditional one (house name, townland, town). So my bank account, credit card etc all have the address I use. However, it appears the credit agencies use the official one - when signing up and entering my postcode, its the only option I can select - this has already led to problems as one agency asked me to verify my ID by sending in a photo of a letter to my address, needless to say my explanation for why a differing address was at the head of the letter fell on deaf ears...

Anyway, what I'm asking advice on, has anyone else come across this, and what was the best way of dealing with it? When applying for the mortgage should I use the address on my bank accounts etc, or the official one? I can see problems either way...

Thanks!

National_Debtline

Hi spinnin

From what I've read online, the new address system for your area has now been implemented. Would it make sense to first update the details held by your existing service providers i.e. bank, credit card etc., so that they are in sync with those used by the credit agencies?

It may also be worth you adding a note to your credit report to briefly explain the exceptional nature of this address issue. This will help to ensure that credit checks on you are done manually, rather than being fed through computerised systems that will spit you out as soon as an address does not match perfectly.

I'm hopeful that the Experian company representative will notice this thread and share their opinion, as I'm sure they will have something useful to add.

Regards

Dennis
@natdebtline

Experian_company_representative

Hi Spinnin,

As Dennis from National Debtline has said, getting your accounts aligned under the same address will make applying for a mortgage a far smoother process.

I would also make sure that your electoral roll details are recorded under the same version of the address, as lenders will often use the electoral roll to help confirm the applicants ID.

In regard to applying for your credit report, you can add address variations in the previous address section, this will then allow you to view information recorded in your name under the variations.

I understand that you have had trouble applying in the past, if we can’t identify you at the application address we may ask for further documents from you.

If you are signing up for the CreditExpert service and can’t enter your address in the correct format give us a quick call on 0800 013 88 88 and we can help you with this.

Kind Regards
Neil

spinnin

Thanks guys, advice much appreciated.

It does make sense to align all the addresses with the official one, but the concern at this point (with me hopefully applying in the very near future) is that I'm worried that a raft of what appears as changes of address may leave some traces on my credit file which could equally cause problems. Perhaps that is something you could clarify Experian Rep?

I have noticed in the past that the electoral cards are addressed to the 'official' address, so there should be consistency there at least.

Experian_company_representative

Hi Spinnin, as the accounts are being updated to match the address variation that your electoral roll is already recorded under it would not be seen as a change of address. So this should not cause any problems when you apply for credit in the future.
Kind Regards
Neil

spinnin

Ok,

Got onto Experian - score 908 (is that good enough to likely be approved for a mortgage?)

Negative is that I've no successfully settled credit accounts...This isn't accurate, as I had a bank loan which was paid back with no issue, so its not picking up the other variation of my address. I've now added that other version into 'previous addresses', should that mean that loan will then be picked up?

And should I add a note explaining the address situation?

Thanks