Should I remove temporary address (only one month) in credit file?

SquallLiu

After a year living in the UK, I start to keep an eye on credit scores.

My address history is like the following:
1) Live in my country before June 2021.
2) Arrive in the UK and live in Airbnb June - July 2021.
3) Live in current address since July 2021.

My question is: would it be better or necessary to remove the Airbnb address?
Since it was a short term address, I didn't have a contact with the host.
And I think one-month address record doesn't help much.

But I did apply a few things with the Airbnb address. Like Revolut/Monzo bank and booked a few PCR test at that time.
I wonder if these record helps? And hesitating if to keep this address history in credit file.

Thanks!

PRAISETHESUN

I had a similar situation to you when I first moved to the UK, although I didn't apply for anything using a temporary address like you have - I wouldn't have thought a AirBnB host would appreciate someone else using their address for this sort of stuff.

You'll be basically starting to build your credit file from scratch. First thing to do is to get a bank account sorted (sounds like you have) and get on the ER at your permanent address (assuming your nationality allows). After that, look for a sub-prime "credit (re)building" card - usually from the likes of Capital One, Vanquis, etc. It took me living in the UK for about 12 months before anyone would give my first credit card, but I had success with the LUMA card from Capital One in case it helps: https://www.luma.co.uk/. Otherwise, see the MSE guide here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/bad-credit-credit-cards/

I'd also look to start getting access to your credit files from all 3 CRAs - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Request copies of your "statutory credit reports" and if/when they can't provide them to you, they should ask for ID. Supply them with what they need and it should get sorted. 

Moving forward the main thing to do is to be consistent on your applications. The Monzo account will have been recorded once opened and the address will be listed on your files. It will stay visible for 6 years even if you close it down now so leave it as is. Stuff like your PCR tests don't matter as they won't be recorded on your files, only financial products get recorded.

SquallLiu

Thanks for the comments. I've checked all 3 CRAs score.
Experian: 806.
TransUnion: 544.
Equifax: 271.

Only Experian reaches Fair section, and I can't even pass the eligibility checker of LUMA or other credit builder cards .
I think the culprit is still lack of previous address record. Since all checker forms require previous address info.
I'm afraid applying those could receive more rejections for me at the moment.

I've also started a HSBC bank since May this year. (I won't open others in the near future for good)
I think I'll just continue to accumulate the bank activities and paying stuffs on time.
See if the score improves afterward, and try apply again.

As for ER, I can't apply it since I'm here with skilled worker visa.
I think I just wait and don't change address for another 2 years.

Thanks for the comment again!

[Deleted User]

The scores don't matter - they're not used in the UK. You need to check the data that appears on your files.

As your credit history improves, your scores wil drop, but that's all good. 

PRAISETHESUN

SquallLiu said:

Thanks for the comments. I've checked all 3 CRAs score.
Experian: 806.
TransUnion: 544.
Equifax: 271.

Only Experian reaches Fair section, and I can't even pass the eligibility checker of LUMA or other credit builder cards .
I think the culprit is still lack of previous address record. Since all checker forms require previous address info.
I'm afraid applying those could receive more rejections for me at the moment.

I've also started a HSBC bank since May this year. (I won't open others in the near future for good)
I think I'll just continue to accumulate the bank activities and paying stuffs on time.
See if the score improves afterward, and try apply again.

As for ER, I can't apply it since I'm here with skilled worker visa.
I think I just wait and don't change address for another 2 years.

Thanks for the comment again!

As above - ignore the scores. They are basically a marketing gimmick in the UK and are not used in lender's decision-making processes. The underlying data is what is important. With limited data (so so-called "thin" credit file), you will struggle to get any credit so I'd recommend to just keep doing as you've suggested to build up some solid credit history - keep within your bank's overdraft limits and pay any bills on time. 

The address history was an issue for me too - as you rightly point out, many lenders' online forms require 3 years of address history. Some lenders are happy to take foreign address history into account, some aren't. I linked the LUMA card as they were one of the lenders that did accept foreign address history (at least at the time I applied, admittedly several years ago now).

Rejections don't appear on your credit files - only the hard credit searches do. A few hard searches every few months isn't the end of the world, so I'd apply maybe every 3-6 months and see if you are successful. Check eligibility checkers beforehand though to maximise the chances of being accepted (ie. only make a full application to lenders you have a good chance of success with).

ER isn't tied to your visa type - it's purely down to your nationality, see here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. I was eligible to vote on skilled work visa as a Commonwealth citizen for example. If you can enroll, it's a very god idea to do so as it gets recorded on your credit file and is one of the many things lenders can and do check.

Basically give everything time and it'll get sorted eventually

SquallLiu

Thank you very much!