Advice on ways to improve report

smartmove19

Hi there.

I am looking for ways to improve my report, My scores are between 397 and 472 but from what I gather this is for my own personal use and lenders do not see this.

I had struggled with debt in my twenties, now in my thirties I am hoping to be accepted for a mortgage in a couple of years time.

I have accessed both credit karma and experian.

On experian it says I do not have any active credit accounts.

On creditkarma it says I have three open accounts

Barclays (uptodate) balance 0
Nationwide (uptodate) balance 0
Vodafone LTD £1955 (currently being paid off, completed in full Jan 2020)

No credit cards or loans.

Closed accounts:
Arrow Global £0 balance - Satisfied
Rate setter £0 balance - Satisfied
Amigo loans £0 balance - Settled
Mr Lender £0 balance - settled

I have 4 linked addresses (is this impacting in a negative way)?

I am on the electoral roll.

Is there anything else I can do to make my report more attractive? Other than obviously paying off that outstanding balance.....

I have already previously used the free trial for equifax. Do you think I should order a statutory report?

Thanks for reading, hope to get some advice

[Deleted User]

Getting a credit card, using it regularly and clearing in full each month is the easiest way to build good history and demonstrate to lenders that you can use credit responsibly without being dependent on it.

smartmove19

Thank you, i'm just a bit weary of applying and being rejected and adding more negatives to my report.

[Deleted User]

smartmove19 wrote: »

Thank you, i'm just a bit weary of applying and being rejected and adding more negatives to my report.

It's not that exhausting to apply for a card.

And if declined, all that will appear is a search.

smartmove19

:rotfl: wrong choice of word there.

I should have said...cautious....

Anyway, thank you. I will have a think about it.

cymruchris

You can always try the eligibility checkers first on some of the credit building cards such as Vanquis, Aqua and Capital one (in no particular order).

If you want to demonstrate to a mortgage provider that you are good with credit - this is the best way forward. Spend on it - pay in full every month - without fail - ever! Do that over the space of a year or so, and you'll see your credit limits raise - and your record of managing credit improve.

You do have payday loans listed there - and from I've read that can be a no-no for some mortgage lenders - so you might have to go through a specialist broker rather than comparing online.

Oliver2809006

No utility account on your file?