Failed Credit Check with British Gas

JoeCrystal

I am fuming at the moment for I am just told that British Gas said I failed credit check with them as I want to change to credit meter but also said that it is not necessarily mean that there is a problem with my credit record, or my credit-worthiness! I am worthy enough to get a good rate mortgage from a bank but not good enough to have a credit meter. :mad:

So I am wondering if I should see anything specific in the report that might cause British Gas to reject me? There are no defaults or anything like that. I also spent more than a year at my current home and I am on the Electoral roll as well.

Thank you for any help!

footyguy

My mum always used to say do not ask for credit as refusal often offends.

And mums always know best, right?

Creditors use many different ways of deciding if credit can be granted, and sometimes it's not all based on what is in a credit report (particularly those issuing mortgages)

I can't tell you why BG failed to grant you credit, only they can, but they are not obliged to explain why.

It must be something serious though, as usually for less serious cases BG will allow credit if you agree to pay a refundable security deposit.

Edit: According to this MSE article, they say BG base their assement on

An account review and credit check. You can't be in debt with British Gas, or have had a debt in the last 12 months at your current/previous address.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

JoeCrystal

Thanks footyguy!

The reason I switched to British Gas last year in the first place was to take advantage of free exchange and certainly not in debt either. I wonder if it is more to do with the fact I only pay £13 to £15 or so per month? Anyway, will wait for a few more months and try again later.

Again, thank you for your help.

System

All suppliers now have to offer a free exchange prepay to credit .If you can switch to EDF they do not credit check and SSE do a soft check.Not sure if EDF accept prepayment meter switches tho. From last April/May OFGEM ordered suppliers to stop charging for these exchanges .Scottish Power used to charge as much as £200 per meter.
BG have definitely not knocked you back just because you are a low user.You are not the first on here who have suffered from their strict credit check.I think I would fail as I have a dire credit score.. I ve never ever borrowed anything and therefore never repaid any debtors to prove my credit worthiness. I m a bad risk !