Mobile phone contract - who will be credit checked?

Legacy_user

My partner is a stay-at-home-parent so has no independent income. We don't have any financial associations and want to keep it that way, but everything comes out of my bank account. I was applying for a new mobile phone contract in my partner's name, but with my bank details for the DD. Would the credit check be done on my partner or me, in that case? It seems silly for them to do the credit check on my partner as I'm the one who's going to be paying, but they don't have my date of birth etc. so I don't see how they can do a credit check on me.

We're in the process of buying a house at the moment, so I'd like to avoid any credit checks on my file until all that's gone through. I just want to know whether we should hold off on ordering the phone until after the move, or if we're fine to order it now as I won't be credit checked.

Can anyone advise?

[Deleted User]

It will be whoever's name the contract is in. The bank account that pays the DD is irrelevant.

DUTR

x-caitlin-x wrote: »

My partner is a stay-at-home-parent so has no independent income. We don't have any financial associations and want to keep it that way, but everything comes out of my bank account. I was applying for a new mobile phone contract in my partner's name, but with my bank details for the DD. Would the credit check be done on my partner or me, in that case? It seems silly for them to do the credit check on my partner as I'm the one who's going to be paying, but they don't have my date of birth etc. so I don't see how they can do a credit check on me.

We're in the process of buying a house at the moment, so I'd like to avoid any credit checks on my file until all that's gone through. I just want to know whether we should hold off on ordering the phone until after the move, or if we're fine to order it now as I won't be credit checked.

Can anyone advise?

Perhaps if they won't pass for a mobile they won't pass for a mortgage. How long have you been seeing her?

phillw

x-caitlin-x wrote: »

It seems silly for them to do the credit check on my partner as I'm the one who's going to be paying,

And if they left you tomorrow, would you still pay for their phone? They aren't interested in who pays, they are interested in who they have to take to court if the payments stop.

Nebulous2

I can't see that one credit check for a phone will have any impact, depending what others you have on there. Ask your broker.

I also think you are more likely to cause problems / raise suspicion by trying to be too clever or complicated in what you do.

I've had a lot of phones in my name that have been used by other people. Phone companies don't care. They even offer separate logins to check the account for users from bill payers in some instances.

System

Thanks for all the responses. To answer the specific points, I've been married to my partner for 7 years and we've been together for 11. I know nothing is ever certain, but I'm not massively concerned about the possibility of a break up. Although we don't have any financial associations (the bank account is in my name only), I'm the sole earner while he is at home with the kids, so I pay for everything but as far as I'm concerned it's all joint money. The contract is very low cost, so if we were to split then I wouldn't be too badly off paying for it over the next 2 years. The mortgage is going to be in my name only and it's already been approved. I'm just anxious because I've heard that the bank sometimes does one last credit check before releasing the funds.

Thanks for the advice to ask my broker - it's very obvious now you say it, but it hadn't occurred to me! Would the application lead to us having a financial association? There's nothing on my partner's file that would be of concern, but I don't know if the sudden appearance of an extra person would spook the bank! Another question for my broker, but just wondered if anyone on here knew the answer while I'm waiting for him to get back to me.

[Deleted User]

x-caitlin-x wrote: »

Would the application lead to us having a financial association?

The phone contract wouldn't. The mortgage app may, and definitely if accepted.

Car1980

Depends on the phone company. I applied for one yesterday and they insisted the bank account be in my name and wanted debit card details on top.

System

Thanks everyone. zx81, I'm not too worried about that, as it's only for the purposes of the mortgage application that I don't want us to be linked. I don't mind what happens after that.

I've spoken to my broker, and he said that it probably wouldn't matter too much but best to wait until after completion just to be sure.