2 Addresses, Electoral Roll and poor Credit Score

JKD

Hello

I am having trouble with Experian, Equifax and Clearscore because of my two addresses. All of my personal banking arrangements and phone bill are still registered to my parents address in the Midlands which I visit every 2 weeks. However I rent in London and therefore am on the electoral roll in London but have no bills in my own name in London at the moment as my flatmate takes care of that. FYI I have lived in London for the past 6 years, having moved flat only twice in London.

When viewing my credit score for the first time in years I inputted the Midlands address but cannot see how to link my London address. My credit score is therefore quite poor as they cannot see I am on the electoral role in London.

Does anyone have any tips please on what I can do? I have reached out to Experian, but the Equifax ask a question function isn't working for me. Should I transfer 1 of my bank accounts to my London address? Or should I be trying to somehow link my London address on the credit scoring websites (i couldn't see how to do this!)? I dont want to register on the roll at my parents address in case this causes them issues as they are exempt from paying council tax.

I would really like to clear up my credit score !!

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Don't worry about the score. It's not a real thing.

Ask the CRAs to link your addresses. Ideally though, you should have your accounts registered to where you live, especially as that is your ER location.

muhandis

Unless there's any particular reason (lack of security for post at your shared house perhaps?) you would prefer to use your parents' address for all official communication, in your place, I would consider changing the addresses on my financial accounts to where I actually live.

JKD wrote: »

Does anyone have any tips please on what I can do? I have reached out to Experian, but the Equifax ask a question function isn't working for me. Should I transfer 1 of my bank accounts to my London address?
I would really like to clear up my credit score !!

Thanks

DCFC79

Its not your credit score your checking/clearing up but your report.


Lenders don't see your score, they see your data on the report.


As mentioned it would be easier if the address for financial accounts were to be changed to where you live.

PRAISETHESUN

You should set your residential address for all accounts as the address where you actually live - you can have a separate address for correspondence, such as a PO box or your parents' address if you wish (eg. think billing vs. shipping addresses). Also make sure you are enrolled on the ER at the address where you actually live. Inconsistencies in addresses such as this can be flagged as suspicious (lenders may think they are potentially fraudulent) and hinder chances of getting credit in future. Once your addresses are updated with your banks, get them to pass along this info to the CRAs who will update your reports.

Also, obligatory note about ignoring any reference to credit scores - these are only seen by you, are not factored into credit applications and do not indicate creditworthiness in any sense. Focus instead on building and maintaining good credit history over time instead.

MABLE

I noticed last night on American TV one of the well done agencies was advertising and at the bottom of the tv screen it said the credit score is for educational purposes only. I've never thought of it that way.

JKD

Thank you everyone for your responses, they have helped to make some sense of it all! I will definitely look into making the change of address