Direct debits affecting credit rating?

corinnet1239

I recently applied to rent a flat and although all my references did go through okay my credit rating came back as bad. 

I can't quite understand this as I've never been late on any phone payments or credit card payments. The only thing I can think is that I recently realised that I previously had a standing order set up as a donation to the Guardian. The payments stopped when I closed the account (and I'd forgotten about it). Although they did email me if was on an email I don't use anymore. 

I wasn't in "debt" to the newspaper (to the best of my knowledge!) But could this be affecting my credit rating?

[Deleted User]

No. Lenders don't know what donation you set up and they're not credit agreements. 

The credit rating you see on CRAs aren't real ones, so if you you are concerned about your files, check the data on all three in detail.

TadleyBaggie

Short answer: no.

Long answer: still no.

Ebe_Scrooge

As above, check all 3 of your credit files (there's no need to pay, they're available for free).  Ignore the score they give you, and also ignore any assessment they make about your credit-worthiness - these are irrelevant and are not used nor even seen by anyone other than you.  But do check that the underlying data are factually correct.

Any charity donations will not be recorded anyway, as they're not a debt (whether made by Standing Order or Direct Debit, which are different things).

corinnet1239 said:

I've never been late on any phone payments or credit card payments

Do you always (or usually) pay your credit card in full every month?  If you don't, this can be interpreted as a sign that you're struggling to keep up with your commitments (unless your credit card has a 0% Interest promotional offer running).

Having said that, landlord checks tend - in the main - to be less strict than if you're applying for a loan, credit card or some other form of credit.

But the first - and simplest - thing is to check all 3 credit reports and just make sure there are no adverse markers recorded - either correctly or incorrectly.