Changing a Few Accounts to Husbands Name

Why_oh_why

Hi

Very brief history (hopefully): (if you don't want a history, skip to the last sentence haha )

After about 15 years of having major debt problems, I have finally been in a position to spend the last 3 years starting to recover with a view of 2/3 years left before we can start looking at the possibility of getting back on the property ladder - and what will continue to help getting there.

One thing I have seen mentioned is about having accounts in both names for future mortgage applications. I have been 'controlling' the finances for the last 3 years, mainly because that's the way it works best for us and partly because husband doesn't like talking to companies because he has very slight mental health issues.

I'm now thinking (everything is pretty much in my name apart from mobile phones) that we should change some accounts around to get a bit more history in husbands name but will utility etc. companies potentially ask why we want to change and then have a fright when I give the reason?

Basically, is there an easy way to change the account name without sending up all sorts of flags/issues?

MovingForwards

You could always phone them, say you want to add your husband to the bills (he will have to speak to them and agree to it), just in case anything happens to you.

What does he already have in his name? Current account? Credit card? Mobile phone contract? Any loans or other finance?

You will also be best off checking what information is held on credit karma, Clearscore and MSE credit club, your husband should do the same. As that will also dictate whether you will need to go with a sub-prime mortgage lender or whether you can get placed with a regular bank / building society; look for defaults / late payments / CCJ etc.

Why_oh_why

MovingForwards wrote: »

You could always phone them, say you want to add your husband to the bills (he will have to speak to them and agree to it), just in case anything happens to you.

What does he already have in his name? Current account? Credit card? Mobile phone contract? Any loans or other finance?

You will also be best off checking what information is held on credit karma, Clearscore and MSE credit club, your husband should do the same. As that will also dictate whether you will need to go with a sub-prime mortgage lender or whether you can get placed with a regular bank / building society; look for defaults / late payments / CCJ etc.

Thank you for responding

What a twit - didn't think about just doing joint, will definitely do that

We have a joint bank account - it was originally mine which I've had for about 25 years and he was added about 12 years ago; I have a credit card through our bank (low credit limit) unfortunately he wasn't accepted last time we applied for an additional card but that's fine for now; Severn Trent is in his name and he is the account holder for a joint mobile phone contract.

We managed to get him set up on MSE Club and he actually had a higher credit score than me (I know that means nothing reading the posts on here but I like to keep an eye on my own Clearscore to see how things are going).

We both had a CCJ with Severn Trent - it was a joint one but seems to have been done separately - that was satisfied in December 2016 and we have the certificates of satisfaction. Then there are the various outstanding debts that we are working through.

Thrugelmir

Why_oh_why wrote: »

One thing I have seen mentioned is about having accounts in both names for future mortgage applications.

For a joint mortgage application there's no benefit. Make sure on the electoral roll and no further negative history. Time will do the rest.

Why_oh_why

Thrugelmir wrote: »

For a joint mortgage application there's no benefit. Make sure on the electoral roll and no further negative history. Time will do the rest.

Thanks Thrugelmir and apologies for not responding quicker. That definitely fits in with what I was hoping :T