Looking to rent and credit record

Houzi

Hi,

I've been living outside of the UK for the last 5 and a half years. Prior to moving I was in a difficult financial situation and occured a small credit card and overdraft debt which turned quite big (2000) the last I heard.

I've just returned back to the UK and started a full time job and looking to rent somewhere. The agent said they need to do a credit check so I can get a tennancy agreement.

Since I've been back I've lived at a different address and not opened any bank account with highstreet banks or had any credit so my credit record won't have been touched.

Im worried if the lettings company does a credit check on me it will update my credit record with the address I'm currently living at and my debtors will come and find me. Is that true?

I'm not really in a position to start paying them back until I've found somewhere to live and got settled.

Any advice would be appreciated.:beer:

Willing2Learn

Houzi wrote: »

Im worried if the lettings company does a credit check on me it will update my credit record with the address I'm currently living at and my debtors will come and find me. Is that true?

Welcome to the forum Houzi

When you move to your new home you should update your address with your bank and the Electoral Register. Once that is done, I believe your creditors will be able to find you if they check your credit file...

Maybe the accounts will become Statute Barred before they do this...

cymruchris

Have you been living legally overseas? with a job and relevant visa somewhere? If so - provide them with those details - and most likely wont be a problem to get somewhere rented - but once in a property - then you'll need to think about what to do next.

PRAISETHESUN

Most credit checks only ask for the last 3 years of address history so if you provide your overseas details then there shouldn't be an issue. With respect to your rental property in particular, you may find that you are unable to pass a credit check if your file is thin/full of defaults and you might be asked to pay a few months rent in advance to help provide further confidence that you'll pay your rent on time - I had a similar problem when I first moved to the UK since I had an absolutely blank credit file. You will need to register on the ER and open a bank account (or register your new details with your existing bank if you kept one open while you were overseas) at some point however, which may allow them to track you down again. It'd also be worth checking your credit files with all 3 CRAs as your debtors may have already taken action against you in relation to the debt and you could already have a CCJ on your files - in which case the usual 6 year statute barred limitation will not apply.