How long to clear? 15 October 2021 at 5:52AM in Credit file & ratings 24 replies 361 views

SollySaving

I recently applied for 2 car loans and was approved, but at silly rates so I did not take them.  I then thought I'd switch tack and put my only 2k of debt onto a 0% balance transfer card - I usually have them throwing credit cards at me, but it was point blank refused!  After investigation, it turned out my ex husband ran up debt with hmrc in both our names, and we still had a joint account for shared parenting funds.  The debt has apparently now been officially wholly transferred to him, and the joint account shut down - how long will this take to clear from my 'record' for lenders?  And will a credit card refusal ruin things?  I had a VERY good history up to all this and REALLY need a new car!?

Thanks for any help

[Deleted User]

It depends on precisely what you mean by transferring the debt to your husband.  

If the whole account is considered to be his, then it should be removed from your files fairly rapidly. If it's just that they will chase him for the debt, nothing will change.

SollySaving

It's been officially put into his name only now 

[Deleted User]

But is that because they believe is should never have been in your name, or because they have agreed to pursue him for it?

What sort of account is it?

SollySaving

In reality, it was never my debt, i begged him not to claim the money and I never saw a penny but because we were married we both went down with the ship and hmrc had chased me for it - apparently, it is now signed over to him so my name should be off it and i will not be getting chased.  

[Deleted User]

It's still not clear from your post how HMRC are handling it. "In reality, it was never my debt" sounds more like your view than theirs. They may agree, or they may not.

You need to clarify with HMRC exactly how they are dealing with it and whether they are amending files.

SollySaving

They did not agree because as i said, we were married so it automatically got tacked to me on paper.  Now, it is not, it is signed over to his name, he has agreed to take responsibility for it (not make payments, because he always was, this is more, a transfer)

[Deleted User]

It sounds then as if it will not be removed from your files.

SollySaving

Wondering what the point if the transfer is then -_- 

[Deleted User]

You'll need to ask them - but be careful of not making them transfer it back....

bazzyb

HMRC debts wouldn't normally show on your credit file and so shouldn't affect a credit card application.  What exactly is showing?