Habitation Status 26 July 2022 at 8:43PM in Credit file & ratings 3 replies 133 views

PhilReid

Hello 

I wanted to check my credit rating and look at applying for credit cards to help build up my rating.

However, the one point that keeps confusing me is what option to pick when it comes to habitation/living situation.

I've lived with my partner for 3 years, she owns the house and I contribute half to the costs of bills etc. On the credit check website and credit card applications, the options are almost always private tenant, council tenant, living with parents or homeowner. 

I don't fit into any of these but generally do I fit more into private tenant or living with parents?

Any help would be much appreciated! 

Phil

MalMonroe

Well, you're not living with your parents so you can't put that. And you are not a tenant either. 

There's also usually a question that asks about marital status on those forms and if you select 'living with partner' then it would seem that 'homeowner' would be the best match for the habitation question, even though you don't actually own the property yourself. You do contribute to the household expenses. See what your partner thinks.

MovingForwards

MalMonroe said:

Well, you're not living with your parents so you can't put that. And you are not a tenant either. 

There's also usually a question that asks about marital status on those forms and if you select 'living with partner' then it would seem that 'homeowner' would be the best match for the habitation question, even though you don't actually own the property yourself. You do contribute to the household expenses. See what your partner thinks.

Selecting "homeowner" implies OP owns the house/flat, therefore a safety net asset for the financial institution to secure a debt against if a CC isn't paid and could be deemed application fraud as it isn't his position.

Unfortunately the forms haven't moved with the times and unless there's an 'other' option, private tenant is the closest with £0 rent.

[Deleted User]

MalMonroe said:

Well, you're not living with your parents so you can't put that. And you are not a tenant either. 

There's also usually a question that asks about marital status on those forms and if you select 'living with partner' then it would seem that 'homeowner' would be the best match for the habitation question, even though you don't actually own the property yourself. You do contribute to the household expenses. See what your partner thinks.

Even for you that is terrible advice, you're suggesting they commit fraud (lying about being a home owner) which could end up with them on the CIFAS register

OP please do not listen to this. Of those 4, you are a private tenant, your partner is a home owner, if you are not on the deeds/mortgage then you cannot say you are a home owner, you are not a council tenant or living with parents, QED, a private tenant