Credit card cancellation - Credit rating impact?

everfor007

I got barclays and Debenhams CC and not using for more than year..  if i cancel it, will it impact my credit rating? 
Shortly i am planning to apply for house mortgage, so i don't want any effect on it.

[Deleted User]

School of thought on utilisation is that having higher % looks bad. Closing old cards can mean a higher utilisation % e.g. £1000 of debt on the cards (until they are paid) out of £5000 credit limit = 20%. Close 2 cards and lose say £3000 of credit and you're now at 50%.

Holding cards for longer is often seen as a positive though, I'd keep using the cards for a small amount each month and pay off in full - your provider will probably cancel them if you don't use them for much longer so you might not get a choice.

I wouldn't risk changes to credit history like that before applying for a mortgage and you might need the credit when moving house anyway!