New to UK - Credit Rating needed!

jacksmith93

Hello, my wife recently moved to the UK for the first time. She has no credit rating in the UK as she lived in Russia since birth. I want to help build up her credit score as quickly as possible. She tried to apply for a mobile phone and credit card but is really struggling. She doesn't have a bank account yet as I am not sure if she'll be accepted.


Also my credit rating is very good, will she effect mine? Is there a way of minimising the impact?


Please let me know your thoughts, if you have had similar experiences, or if you have any tips for me.

Arleen

Does she work? And by default your credit files are not linked, only when you will apply for joint products then her lack of credit may affect you.

And there is no such thing as credit rating, just credit history. If you want some random numbers, toss a dice. It will be about as informative about your creditworthiness as any credit rating.

jacksmith93

She just arrived, so not yet but she is looking and highly employable so I don't imagine it will take long. I thought they might be linked as we live together - so thank you for clarification.


I just don't want her to get rejected for things, not really bothered about the numbers!

Arleen

Well, if she doesn't have a job she is unlikely to get a bank account except for some very basic one, but even that will be a bit of a hurdle and annoyance to get without a job (been there, done that and even with a job it was a pain). But once she is employed, it will be relatively straightforward.

She will also need some proof of address; often banks will accept a letter from employer in that case if they will be willing to write one.

MrsTinks

She will need to start with a super basic bank account for now - it will take her years to build a credit history same as everyone else I'm afraid.

As for being employable... she may get lucky or she may not. A lot of that will depend on what she does, if her English is brilliant and if where you are has a demand for her skills.
Until she's employed and on the electoral roll then no-one will be likely to offer her ANY credit products I'm afraid.

[Deleted User]

abanghasan wrote: »

i thinks it would effect your credit rating,

Reported for low effort home page spam.

DCFC79

Deleted_User wrote: »

Reported for low effort home page spam.

A poor effort indeed.

Back to the OP, theres no quick way to it, start from the bottom.

As for the mobile phone she can get a cheapo phone for under £100 and get a pay monthly sim only plan, maybe 1 thats capped so she doesnt overspend.

jacksmith93

Good shout on the phone front thank you. I'm deliberating whether to get it in my name for her but of coarse that will never help her issue. As time passes it should become easier (I believe) for her to get stuff because her 'time at address' will increase constantly.


Her car insurance is going to be a similar issue I feel.


Thanks for all the comments.

Arleen

jacksmith93 wrote: »

Good shout on the phone front thank you. I'm deliberating whether to get it in my name for her but of coarse that will never help her issue. As time passes it should become easier (I believe) for her to get stuff because her 'time at address' will increase constantly.


Her car insurance is going to be a similar issue I feel.


Thanks for all the comments.

Once she is employeed for few months she will be wise to go in person to one of the stores and apply there for a sim-only deal. They should grant it just fine. I recommend going in person as many only forms require 3 years worth of address and do not know the concept of people being oversea, but they can fill that application in store just fine.

Resh

I had this same problem when I moved to the UK and it has taken years to get my credit rating up to good, whatever that means. In the early days my husband added me to his current account so that was my initial boost, eventually I got my own bank account and a credit card, and then finally we put my name on the gas/electric account the last time we moved. It's a process.