Credit report question.

Elle83

Hi

I have lurked on this form for a while now. I had past bad credit that I started tackling in 2012. I paid most off by the end of 2012 and the only thing outstanding was a Halifax credit card that I had a payment plan in place for, which I stuck to and did not miss payments for but then paid off in full in 2016 when I had the money to do so.

Since then I have had no credit and not missed any payments in a bid to improve my credit for the time the issues dropped off. I assumed everything bar the Halifax would have disappeared by now so signed up for Clearscore and Experian to check my credit history.

Both credit reports show none of the bad credit, not even the Halifax which I thought would be on there until 2022. I've made sure my maiden name is linked and all my addresses up to date and for the past 6 years. Is this because even though I only paid it off in 2016, the debt/default was dated from 2012?

I'm wanting to now build my credit rating as all I have is my current account and SIM only phone contract, and we want to apply for a mortgage next year. I don't want to apply for any credit until I'm absolutely sure my credit report is a true reflection of what lenders will see.

I've looked at closed accounts and it just shows an EE one that was never defaulted on so it just says "in good standing". At the moment I am just waiting to go on the electoral roll at our new place, so that is showing as the only negative on my report. Well, that and actually having no credit.

This was long, apologies!

[Deleted User]

Defaulted accounts drop off 6 years from the date of default.

Build a credit HISTORY not RATING.

Get a sub-prime credit card, use it each month and pay it back in full after each statement.

boo_star

!!! wrote: »

Defaulted accounts drop off 12 months from the date of default.

6 years

Willing2Learn

Yes - It is six years.

@OP - A sub-prime card from the likes of CapitalOne or Aqua would be a perfect fit for you, as you will probably get accepted, and it will provide a fuller picture of how you manage credit accounts when applying for a future mortgage.

[Deleted User]

boo_star wrote: »

6 years

Corrected.

Was writing something else elsewhere at the same time

Elle83

Sorry, yes I know from reading on here that the score is irrelevant.

As soon as I'm on the electoral roll I will sort a card out and pay in full.

I think then, given it's the default date it goes by, it's all fallen off my credit history. Happy surprise!

Elle83

Thanks for the clarification everyone.

@WillingtoLearn - Thank you I will look in to those cards. ����