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Credit rating of a non Uk national

My friend is Hungarian and I have recently purchased a house and asked whether she would consider renting my spare room. She says she would love to but she needs to build a credit rating and her bank in the UK told her moving again (she has moved 3 times to different rental rooms) would affect it negatively. Does anyone have any suggestions how she could still move but improve her rating (She just doesn't have a credit history here in the UK rather than she has a bad one from not paying anything back)

Is there any way around this or anything she or I can do to improve her rating over time. For example she has never had a utility bill in her name as she always rents rooms. Would I be able to put one of the bills in her name to help if she lived with me?

Comments

  • GingerBob_3
    GingerBob_3 Posts: 3,659 Forumite
    inthegreen wrote: »
    My friend is Hungarian and I have recently purchased a house and asked whether she would consider renting my spare room. She says she would love to but she needs to build a credit rating and her bank in the UK told her moving again (she has moved 3 times to different rental rooms) would affect it negatively. Does anyone have any suggestions how she could still move but improve her rating (She just doesn't have a credit history here in the UK rather than she has a bad one from not paying anything back)

    Is there any way around this or anything she or I can do to improve her rating over time. For example she has never had a utility bill in her name as she always rents rooms. Would I be able to put one of the bills in her name to help if she lived with me?


    Perhaps not a good idea. Utility companies are notorious for screwing up people's ability to get credit. The tactic here is to find one that doesn't report you to the CRAs. A mobile phone contract might be a better bet, but some of those companies can be problematic as well.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,641 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The credit rating is of no relevance as it isn't seen by lenders.
  • Experian_company_representative
    Experian_company_representative Posts: 2,134 Organisation Representative
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 19 August 2015 at 6:21PM
    Hi, InTheGreen.

    Your friend would be able to register to vote for the European elections.Being listed on the electoral roll can be a big help when applying forcredit as lenders will often use this to help confirm ID.

    They would then be able to start to build up a credithistory, current accounts and mobile phone contracts wouldbe able to help with this.

    Our Ask James page covers a similar situation (but for U.S Citizens) here.

    I certainly wish your friend the best whichever option they decide to take!

    Kind Regards
    Neil
    Official Company Representative
    I am an official company representative of Experian. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"

    Posts by James Jones, Neil Stone, Stuart Storey & Joe Standen
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