Going abroad/Credit rating! - using relatives address for electoral roll?

charlie1987

Hiya

I would love some advice if anyone can help as I don't really know what to do....

I'm just about going abroad for 10 months travelling. I'll be giving up my current flat so won't have a UK base. I don't want to affect my credit rating which at the moment is 978. Rather surprised it's so good as I must be a lenders worst customer :rotfl: (only use 0% offers, always pay back on time and much more than minimum etc)
My question is, if I used my sisters home to register on the electoral roll so that I have a continuous address whilst i'm away is that fraudulent? Would I also need to be added to their council tax list of occupants and could this cause me issue? She lives with boyfriend so its not single occupancy btw.
I obviously won't be living there but I need a forwarding address/electoral roll address that matches up when credit agencies search for me but worried that this might not be the kosher thing to do??

Any advice greatly appreciated here. Somewhat miffed.

[Deleted User]

You don’t have a credit rating or score so you can safely ignore that.

If you’re not living here then you should not be in the electoral roll anywhere.

As you won’t be living here

charlie1987

You don’t have a credit rating or score so you can safely ignore that.

Can you clarify what you mean?
This is based on the MSE Credit Club/Experian score I've been given and it looks positive- it's what lenders use if i'm not mistaken? so anyone would want to maintain that no?

boo_star

charlie1987 wrote: »

You don’t have a credit rating or score so you can safely ignore that.

Can you clarify what you mean?
This is based on the MSE Credit Club/Experian score I've been given and it looks positive- it's what lenders use if i'm not mistaken? so anyone would want to maintain that no?

Lenders don't use the score, they have their own scoring systems.

[Deleted User]

No lenders do not use the CRA scores and ratings.

They look at the raw data on your file and then match it against their own lending criteria to decide whether to provide you with a product or not.

xebruary

!!! wrote: »

If you’re not living here then you should not be in the electoral roll anywhere.

As you won’t be living here

This is not true - British and Irish citizens living abroad can vote for up to 15 years after they last registered to vote in the UK. This can be done at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, following the instructions for "British citizen or eligible Irish citizen living in another country (including the Channel Islands or Isle of Man)". However, the form is structured to be completed after moving abroad and requests a fixed foreign address so may not suit you.

Here is Experian's answer to the question 'How does having no fixed address or living in temporary accommodation affect my credit score?'

www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/location-and-address.html wrote:

Lenders typically like to see that you haven’t moved around a lot over a short space of time. Since they often use the electoral roll to confirm your name and address, it’s wise to register using a family member’s permanent UK address if you’re in student housing or other temporary accommodation, such as army barracks. Just remember to use the same address when you apply for credit – and make sure the family member will be happy to forward your mail to you.

Doing this may not only improve your credit score and your chances of securing credit, but can also protect you from identity fraud too.

This indicates they have no problem with the practice suggested of registering at your sister's address.

Willing2Learn

You can register to vote even if you are homeless or don’t have a fixed address. You can use the address of somewhere you spend a lot of your time, like a day centre or night shelter, a friend’s place or somewhere outdoors.

You can give details of where you spend a lot of your time (during the day or night). This might be a day service, night shelter, or an address nearest to, for example, a park bench, a bus shelter or the doorway to a high-street store.

Source: Crisis

cymruchris

I'm currently abroad - and registered at my parents address much the same way as you're suggesting,... It keeps me 'visible' - particularly in my case as I'm going through the 6 years following bankruptcy waiting for everything to drop off the history. So yes - I'd certainly do it.

charlie1987

Thanks cymruchris

Are you listed as an occupant on their council tax too? They sometimes cross check I’ve heard

Nebulous2

charlie1987 wrote: »

Thanks cymruchris

Are you listed as an occupant on their council tax too? They sometimes cross check I’ve heard

It isn't necessary to be listed as an occupant. Cross-checks are to identify single occupant discounts being misused. Council tax doesn't change with moving from 2 to 3 occupants so it isn't an issue.

cymruchris

No I'm not listed under council tax - simply the electoral roll. Have also transferred my current account there, and now have a couple of credit building credit cards also registered there. All get used to make a minor purchase from time to time, and then fully cleared. (History previously included a bankruptcy - hence the credit building activity.)