New credit ref build

fishandchip

Hi would appreciate some help here

have been out of the country (Asia) for 6 years and did have a few bills before i left (ctax) but nothing major.

Have now returned to uk to start work 1 month earning 20k and living with my mum.

openend a bank acc with the Halifax (debit card) and no adverse info came up which i understand was credit scored.

i want to build a good credit rating

1.what is the fastest way i can do this as i don't want to apply for a credit card and get turned down

2.should i register for the electoral role as well ?

3. can i check my credit score without effecting a problem if so how?


many thanks

thebritishbloke

Register on the electoral roll, wait until it shows up on your credit file before you apply for any credit products. Once it shows up on your credit file (usually december, so get it done ASAP), apply for a credit-building credit card such as Vanquis/Aqua/Capital One.

Don't pay to check your credit "score", it's a made up number and you'll be wasting £15+ a month. Just pay for your statutory £2 report whenever you want access to it, you shouldn't need to see it more than 1-2 times a year max.

Experian_company_representative

Hi Fishandchip,

As Thebritishbloke has said registering on the electoral roll is one of the first steps to take. Lenders will often use this information to help confirm your ID when you apply for credit.
Local authorities are currently collating the annual canvas which will be published in December. Your credit report will be automatically updated with the electoral details, however due to the size of the annual register it can take a few weeks to update.

You can check your report and score as often as you would like with no negative impact on your credit history. There are three credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax and Call Credit, as each may hold different information you may want to check with all three.

It sounds like you are already off to a good start at building your credit history as you have already opened a bank account. If you would like to more information about the steps you can take, our Ask James page covers this topic here

Kind Regards
Neil

CKhalvashi

Praise to Experian for not trying to sell their overpriced main product

Neil has covered all the basics; first electoral roll, then everything else.