uk citizen but not lived in uk

sean9461

Ok so I'm on the electoral roll and I voted in the election so I'm definitely on however I still have one thing unclear.

What actually prompts the credit agencies to create me a credit file?
I tried to do an eligibility calculator and it says no record can be found.
When opening a basic account in my name will it prompt the agency to create me a credit file?

I also have the problem of providing a previous address what do I put when I only have one address outside of the UK

Tixy

Regarding the electoral roll - there is always a time delay between the council registering you and this information being passed to and updated by the credit reference agencies.
Typically it could be another month to six weeks (although there may be a longer delay at the moment if a lot of people registered just in time for the general election voting deadline).

The credit reference agencies would effectively create a file on a person as soon as there is anything to record. Which could be electoral roll information, or searches from a potential lender or credit accounts from a potential lender.

With regards to previous addresses - if specifically asked for a previous UK address then just answer none, or if just asked for previous address then I would provide your previous overseas address.

Voyager2002

You do not have to wait before opening a 'basic' bank account. Visit a branch of NatWest and/or the Co-op and explain your situation face-to-face.

For a telephone, you can use 'pay as you go'.

And for getting to work, rely on public transport and eventually buy a used car: borrowing money for a car is a mug's game.

Experian_company_representative

sean9461 wrote: »

Ok so I'm on the electoral roll and I voted in the election so I'm definitely on however I still have one thing unclear.

What actually prompts the credit agencies to create me a credit file?
I tried to do an eligibility calculator and it says no record can be found.
When opening a basic account in my name will it prompt the agency to create me a credit file?

I also have the problem of providing a previous address what do I put when I only have one address outside of the UK

Hi Sean9461,

It sounds like you are on the right track to building up your credit history by registering on the electoral roll.

Information on your credit report comes from both the public record (such as electoral roll information) and information that companies supply us (such as account information).

When a lender performs searches with Experian they will see the information recorded in your name at the address that you supplied in your application, this is what makes up your credit report.

So by registering on the electoral roll and applying for credit at your current address the process of creating and building a credit report will already have started.

We also have a guide to building up your credit report here that you may find useful.

Kind Regards
Neil

agarnett

So I am guessing that this thread is a month old today, but you still don't have a bank account?

That's mostly I think because no-one has actually told you that you are entitled to one! They have said you can get one but they have not told you that if you have no bank account currently, no bank can easily refuse you what is called a "basic bank account".

In practice it is very little different to any "normal" account.

Do as Voyager2002 says and just choose a bank and sit down and tell them the short version. You've recently arrived, stilll haven't got a bank account, primarily because some people would rather talk to you about how to build a credit file, thus becoming grist to their particular mill, than help you exercise a human right (access to banking), and now you have finally realised you are entitled to one, you are here to ask!

Your passport is primary Photo ID. Most banks do prefer a second photo-ID - a UK provisional drivers licence can be useful. If you register with a UK doctor you can use a letter addressed to you by the doctor as a form of official supporting ID with most banks. Also any document from the tax office or National Insurance office may help, your short-term tenancy agreement for where you live helps, and utility bills (energy and Water or landline telephone).

Don't waste any more time collecting these things, just take what you have got to two or three banks until one either says yes we can open the account today, or we just need one more thing if you can get XXXX (e.g. the letter from your doctor).

Getting a basic bank account is not a game anyone fails. It is just a question of claiming one and collecting a few bits of ID to satisfy them.

By their very nature, basic bank accounts are designed for one purpose only - that is to give people like you access to the UK banking system as a right!

sean9461

Thanks for all the help. I now have a basic account and have found the start of my credit file however it is very blank. What sort of things can I do now to start building a better credit file from nothing?

Do prepaid credit cards with credit builder attached work?

Thanks

HappyMJ

sean9461 wrote: »

Thanks for all the help. I now have a basic account and have found the start of my credit file however it is very blank. What sort of things can I do now to start building a better credit file from nothing?

Do prepaid credit cards with credit builder attached work?

Thanks

Prepaid card don't really improve your credit.

I found without a credit history a store card was the easiest to obtain...or a catalogue company such as Very. Don't pay over the odds for anything though just buy something small and spread the cost over 12 months. Before long you can get a mainstream credit card.

You can also get a high interest card such as a Vanquis card. Awful interest rate but if you use it and pay the statement balance off in full each month it will not cost you anything.

sean9461

I tried vanquis and got declined eligibility checker on this site said 50% chance but I got declined anyway. Does very definitely appear on credit report?

owlet

Capital one is also worth trying. The interest rates are high but just spend a little and set up a direct debit to pay in full.

As others have said get a SIM only mobile phone contract too.

Your history will gradually build up.

Yes Very will appear because it's a credit account. Anything that gives you credit will be reported.

sean9461

Just tried very aswel and got declined. Could it be possible that the credit agencies haven't been updated about my electoral roll status yet which is why I'm being declined?