Apply for credit card befrore or after moving to bought house

napu2400

I have been holding off applying for a credit card while getting a mortgage. Now that is approved, but it creates the question: Should I apply for the card before or after moving?

Advantages of waiting:

• I'd be able to fill in "home owner" rather than "private tenant". Does that matter much?
• It may be a better postcode.
• Would the credit card company get suspicious if the credit check shows a mortgage, but my application says tenant?
• I save the trouble of changing address with the card issuer.

Drawbacks:

• I would have a very short history at the new address.
• It may take a while for the electoral roll change and such to go through and reach the credit agencies.

There is a promotion I like that will expire before I move, but there will always be new deals around.

What is your gut feeling? Should I hurry up and apply, or wait until after I moved?

PinkPig

Your mortgage approval is dependent on your circumstances remaining the same - don't risk it by taking out additional borrowing before completion.

It will be difficult to apply for a credit card at the new address before you appear on the electoral roll, but the credit card is probably less important to you than the mortgage.

napu2400

Thank you PinkPig. Would applying for a credit card, but not using it much, before completion be a potential problem?

My case is a bit special as I will stay at the rental a few weeks after completion while redecorating the new house. So I can apply for a card after completion but before moving if it helps my chances of getting accepted.

[Deleted User]

Do not apply for ANY credit before completion, if you are relying on a mortgage, unless you have an alternative means of funding the puchase.

napu2400

Thank you both. I will definitely wait until completion.

I think I will apply for a card after completion when the mortgage is all done, but before moving. If that is rejected, I will wait until a few months after moving, so my address is updated everywhere. I heard that it's not good to apply for an other card immediately after a rejection.

I currently only have a charge card, so I am not getting myself into bad debt here.

Yawn

I took out a BT card the day after completing on my mortgage but before moving house. I figured it would be a while before my credit score would recover with the move and all the credit searches (for utility bills, broadband, etc.) that come with that. Plus, I needed the money to buy furniture.