How can i build my credit?

Megspegs31

Hi,
Im 21 and have only come to realise how important credit scores are and need to improve mine.
I dont have much of a credit history, my file only shows my bank account, my old bank account (closed account), credit card, and a default.
When i was 16 i opened a credit account with very, i lied when putting in my details and said i was 18 and still passed the credit check (obviously knew this was wrong but i was young), i had a job at the time so was paying as i should every month, then i went to college at 18 and didnt have a job so i stopped paying, last year i recieved a letter saying they had sold my account to lowell and they would be dealing with the debt. I phoned lowell to set up a payment plan and have been paying every month since (i also explained about the false dob and corrected it), therefore only the lowell default appears on my credit file and not the very account.
Ive had the barclaycard credit card for 2-3 months now, i got it to pay for something therefore used most of my balance so i am unable to pay that off in full but i am paying £25 a month (over the £5 minimum) by direct debit, and not planning to use it again until i have cleared the balance.
I am moving into my own house on the 1st of july so all the utility bills will be in my name, will these show up on my credit file as more accounts?
Im just hoping of anything to help my credit really because the default makes it look so bad especially because creditors dont have much else to go by.
Any help?

Candyapple

First off, ignore scores, they are just a marketing gimmick. Your credit history is what matters,

OK so you've got a bank account and a credit card showing. Good.

Are you on the electoral roll? If not, do so and keep checking your files monthly until it shows that you are on there. It can take months to be added so don't be dismayed if it's not on there on the next update.

All you can do now is wait because time is the only healer for a poor credit history. You have a default and this is bad news and will cause you problems getting mainstream credit.

Your best bet is to save for things you want, maintain your bank and credit card so you keep getting those green zeroes and then when the default drops off after 6 years, you will be in the best position to start applying for credit if you need to.

Some utility bills will show up on your files, I think some gas / water ones do but you may need to check. Most other companies don't report back to the CRAs.

The free versions to check your credit files are below:
Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk

Megspegs31

Yes i am on the electoral roll.
I have also heard about a rent to credit scheme where you pay your rent into a scheme on time every month and they pay it to the landlord and itll show on your credit file that you pay your rent on time etc? Are these trustworthy?

Candyapple

I've no idea about how trustworthy they are as I've never used it, but more info here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/rental-exchange-scheme

I suppose it could benefit you as long as you are 100% certain that your rent will always be paid on time.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it will only show on your Experian file and not the other 2. This means that if in the future you take out credit and the lender only searches Equifax's files, it won't have made any difference.