Credit score going down

Loubie47

Hi I am after some advice please.
A couple of years ago I made an active decision to clear up my long running credit problems, with the help and advice of this site and many of its helpful members,
I started with a debt relief order and started with a clean slate, HP car went back etc etc, 11 months ago I took out a credit builder card and have never missed a payment, although only used it once to actually spend on it my payments are all up to date and on time. Slowly my old closed accounts have started to drop off which I was excited about and I made sure since my debt relief to not apply for anything other than an upgrade to super fast broadband as my current area signal is poor and this deal was with my current supplier and actually £3 cheaper per month and a mobile contract for my daughter.
I only have one month left on my credit builder card but as my accounts are dropping off and my debt total is zero almost my score is going down, I assumed as I was getting rid of the bad that my score would improve.
I am at a loss as to what to do to improve my score now, I have done everything I can think of over the last two years and now feel a bit deflated as I’m going backwards other than I have no debt now really.
many thanks and sorry for ranting.

liggerz87

The number is just a gimmick it's the history that counts

RHF2020

Ignore the number; nobody looks at it and it's largely made up. What's important is that you are cleaning up your credit history and lenders will be able to see that 

Loubie47

Im just concerned that very soon I will have only 2 small credit accounts and no short term or longer term debt so will that no be undesirable if I did want to borrow in the future, say a mortgage or something similar? I don’t have any plans for that but I also would like to think if I needed to borrow for something important that I would be in a desirable position to do so.
I guess I am just wondering if there is anything more I can do.

[Deleted User]

You're doing what you need to do - paying off the debt.  You're not supposed to be carrying debt if you want lenders to view you low risk.  It's only the CRAs that want you to keep it, but they won't lending you a bean.

Uee a credit card, clear it in full each month. Time does the rest.

Loubie47

Yes I will start doing that for maybe just one thing like my petrol or something, I’m just nervous around credit cards now as I’ve spent so long getting rid of all the debt amd cleaning up my act.

[Deleted User]

The best way to build credit worthiness is to show responsible use - spend on credit card, pay off in full every month, same with say mobile phone contract. 
Please though, read the sticky post at the top of the page which covers this question which is posted every day - your "score" is a novelty only, no lender will ever see it, nor do they judge whether to give you a mortgage based on that fictitious number

MEM62

Your credit score goes up, your credit score goes down.  It does this only for your amusement as it is neither seen or used by anyone else.    

RHF2020

Deleted_User said:

You're doing what you need to do - paying off the debt.  You're not supposed to be carrying debt if you want lenders to view you low risk.  It's only the CRAs that want you to keep it, but they won't lending you a bean.

Uee a credit card, clear it in full each month. Time does the rest.

Really important point. I've been checking out my credit score ahead of looking for a mortgage and I'm getting so many ads from the CRAs for loans and credit cards as they get commission. Modest usage of your credit card, which you pay off every month, and keeping up to date with bills should give providers all the evidence they need that you're a responsible lender.

cymruchris

RHF2020 said:

 that you're a responsible lender.

...borrower.

To the OP - keep up your good work - don't worry about the 'score' - it can be a very vague indication - but can also be quite wrong. 

If you get a credit card - only use it for essential spend that you would use anyway - the regular supermarket shop and maybe the petrol for the car if you have one. Then without fail pay it off in full every month by direct debit. If you don't have a card right now - try the eligibility checkers DIRECTLY on the Aqua, Capital One and Vanquis websites.

If they ALL show as likely to get a card - pick just ONE and apply for it. Then start the process of spend for essentials and pay in full. This repeated action will help strengthen your credit history. (Your score will probably go all over the place - but that's nothing to worry about).

DCFC79

Loubie47 said:

Yes I will start doing that for maybe just one thing like my petrol or something, I’m just nervous around credit cards now as I’ve spent so long getting rid of all the debt amd cleaning up my act.

Just use it for the petrol.