Advice on getting credit when moving back to the UK after a period abroad?

avocadopro

Hi everyone,

I'm just about to come home after a few years working overseas. I'm going to have to take a lot of hits to my credit file in one go when I get back which is concerning me - I'll need to apply for a new phone contract, new utilities services, new purchases credit card, and potentially be checked by letting agencies before I can move into a new place.

Has anyone else been through this? What was your experience? And does anyone have any advice on how I can cause minimal impact to my good credit standing? Thanks! (And yes I know credit scoring is rubbish etc... but can't imagine any lender is going to look favourably on 6+ credit inquiries in the space of a couple of weeks).

DCFC79

If you have issues with getting a phone contract get yourself a sim only contract for £10 a month and buy a cheap phone.

[Deleted User]

avocadopro wrote: »

but can't imagine any lender is going to look favourably on 6+ credit inquiries in the space of a couple of weeks).

I don't see why, as most will be ID checks only and for utilities.

avocadopro

So utilities doesn't require a full credit check?

Thrugelmir

Why do need a credit card immediately?

National_Debtline

Hi there,


Just to note a couple of concerns about the order of things from your post. Utility suppliers wouldn't normally do a full credit check and wouldn't be applicable until you are in your new accommodation, so this would come after a rental check (and isn't anything to worry about anyway).


Rental checks by most private landlords would only be a public information search (CCJs, bankruptcy etc), so hopefully this would be quite straight forward as well. If you need a new mobile phone you can try and get a contract but if you are declined then a pay as you go sim is a good back up plan. The issue you will likely have if you applied for something like a credit card is actually a lack of credit history (for the time you were abroad). The lack of (or limited) history makes it harder for future lenders to assess whether you are a risk or not.

It is also the case that the mobile contract and credit card may not be immediately essential, so it may be worth considering putting these off (even if that is just temporarily). Your concerns about having several searches in a short space of time and being rejected is what risks the most damage to your file from what you have said and the most likely culprits of this are these types of credit (rather than utilities etc).


Laura
@natdebtline