Improving credit history - novice questions

Meehash

Good evening everyone, I'm new here
I'm in the process of getting a mortgage in near future. Unfortunately, I've been ignorant about the credit history and now it's a bit messed up. I want to repair, so got couple of questions:
1. I had few late payments (no more than few days) on two of my credit cards around two years ago, but I can't find any of them on my reports. All accounts have green tick marks every month. Do I need to use desktop version to see more info? Or are they not reported if paid after a day or two?
2. I have a credit card which I won't use anymore (have a card with lower APR) and an Argos card with a very low limit of 450, which I won't need anymore for the same reason. I've held both of them for 4 years. Aside from my main current account, these are the oldest accounts on my reports, but also the least used and with lowest limits. Is the account age this important or can I close them?
3. Is switching current accounts "forbidden" few months before applying for a mortgage, as is applying for credit cards? I know it leaves a mark on the report, but is it seen equally inappropriate?
4. I have a balance transfer card with over two years left, which I used to move all other balances to. At the moment this card used in above 90% of its limit and around 1/3 of my total credit limit. I could divide between my two good cards I want to keep, but then I would pay interest on part of it, so makes no financial sense. I'm planning to pay as much as I can before mortgage application, but it won't be completely paid off by then. Will it be a very bad thing?
Any help much appreciated

[Deleted User]

1. It's possible they weren't reported. The desktop version won't show any more.
2. Only close the accounts if you have a number of others. It's worth keeping and using at least one older account.
3. Switching bank accounts is fine, but I wouldn't apply for new credit within three months or so of a mortgage application if it can be helped.
4. Keep the 0% balance where it is.

Meehash

Thank you
1. I'll go through all three reports again, just to confirm.
2. My main current account is over 8 years old, the two mentioned cards are both 4 years old. I also have one current account and credit card, both over two years old. All the remaining accounts and cards were opened this year. Should I keep both 4-years old cards and only close them after getting mortgage?
3. I'm not planning to open any more credit cards, but wanted to switch one or two "young" current accounts, but I might wait and do it after the mortgage or just close the account and forget the switching.
4. Ok:)

[Deleted User]

Keep all the credit cards.
Have you tried asking for limit increases?

Don’t get rid of them even after getting the mortgage.

Meehash

I did, and got an increase on one (still WAY lower than my new cards). Argos, for some reason, declined and it's still 450. I have 6 current accounts and 5 credit cards, I wanted to get rid of some plastics I don't use anymore.

Meehash

Sorry for another post, but I have two further questions.
A) I've just got a balance transfer offer on one of my CC I want to keep. It's 12 months 0% with a 3% fee. Should I divide my balance between the two cards, resulting in less than 50% of their limits or should I just keep it on the 27 months one with around 90% of its limit? Total usage would be around 30% in both cases.
A month ago I opened four current accounts for switching and rewards purposes. Now I know it was SILLY, and need to pay for my ignorance. Should I close them or leave them for now and switch after getting mortgage?

[Deleted User]

Just leave everything as it is

gionnetto

Meehash wrote: »

Should I close them or leave them for now and switch after getting mortgage?

Don't close/open any more accounts! Lenders like stability. Open one every 6 months, don't close anything.