Which Electoral Role address to regain credit rating

Bruno_Ward

Hi all, just a quick question that someone might know the answer for?

I moved out of the UK for 3 years and got back last year. I recently applied to transfer a £4k balance to a Halifax 0% CC, but I got turned down for the first time ever? Bcard has just upped my credit limit to over £9k so I don't think its a credit risk issue? I think the problem is that I'm no longer on the electoral role.

Which is the quickest and most reliable way to keep the credit reference agencies happy? Should I register all bank details, CC and electoral role back to my old, parents address, (prior 3 years ago) or start a fresh at my new one? Does it actually matter? Also, does anyone know how long it takes for the electoral role to 'register' you once you've added yourself? I'm sick of supporting Barclays and want to get on a 0% asap so I can pay this debt off even quicker.

Many thanks in advance for anyone who can help

ashmit

Why aren't you on the electoral register? There is a £1000 fine for not being. Why don't you just phone your council first thing tomorrow and get them to add you to the register? The update is being done currently, deadline 15th October I think (although you can update your details at any point during the year!), so I would guess that the credit reference agencies will get their updated data soon.

Why don't you just pay £2 each to Experian and Equifax and get your credit files and see what data is listed? That might explain it in one easy go.

jonesMUFCforever

ashmit wrote:

Why aren't you on the electoral register? There is a £1000 fine for not being. Why don't you just phone your council first thing tomorrow and get them to add you to the register? The update is being done currently, deadline 15th October I think (although you can update your details at any point during the year!), so I would guess that the credit reference agencies will get their updated data soon.

Why don't you just pay £2 each to Experian and Equifax and get your credit files and see what data is listed? That might explain it in one easy go.

I didn't know there was a fine of £1000 for not being on Electoral roll. Can you provide some links to prove this?
Not ever heard of anyone being fined for this.
Eric

Bruno_Ward

ashmit,

Thanks for your reply. I know I should be on the role but I have been out of the country for many years and just forgot. Anyway this was not my question.

My main question was which address would be better to regain my good credit history?
A new one or go back to my parent address. I prefer the former if it doesn't matter.

And yes, I know that I can check my credit score but there is no point when I technically 'don't exist'!

ashmit

When the yearly form to update the electoral register comes through your door it always says on there that the fine for not completing it or confirming your information is OK is £1000.

A quick google search turned up this:

Why should I register to vote?

If you do not register, you will not be able to vote at any elections
It is a criminal offence not to complete and return the annual canvass form, or to provide false or inaccurate information; liable to a fine of up to £1,000
The register of electors is used by credit reference agencies to verify residency of persons applying for credit. It could be more difficult to get credit if you are not on the register.

To be fair, this does say 'up to' £1000 so could obviously be less. I've never heard of anyone being charged - I don't know how strictly they enforce it.

Bruno Ward, to answer your actual question...

As far as I know, it would be of questionable legality to use your parents' address if you are not actually living there, so it doesn't really matter which would be better for your credit rating. Although I'm willing to find out different - anyone?

Did you put your parents' address down as a previous address on your application? May be difficult if they only want two years, say, address history, but I would do it if possible. As you were out of the UK for less than 3 years you should be able to link your present details back to your old ones at your old address. I would think that this would be enough to provide you with some credit history and prove that you are the stereotypical 'good risk'.

If you have a Barclaycard then you really should exist for the credit reference agencies! I don't understand why you don't just get your report to check? Actually you shoulddefinitely exist from when you last lived in the UK, as Experian etc will ask for your last 6 years worth of addresses and that will link you for sure, giving you a credit history.

Have you asked Halifax why they turned you down or if you can appeal? They often won't tell you why but I have successfully appealed being turned down for a 0% cc with Lloyds TSB - so if you can show that your problem is from being abroad for 3 years they may overturn their decision.

Good luck, anyway.

Bruno_Ward

Thanks for the reply Ashmit,
I was out of the UK for over 3 years so I'm still not sure if this is the real problem. I've always used my parents address as I've moved round alot, and worked abroad.

One think you did mention which means I will now go and get my credit reports is that they track your address for 6 years. I was holding off getting any reports as I assumed that if the CC coudn't find me then how could a credit ref agency - if I was not on the electoral role.

Anyway I'm off to get them now and we'll see what it says.

As for appealing I didn't see any option to do this. I signed up online and when I hit submit I got an automated message saying wait 10 days and we'll get back to you. I assume there was something in my application form that caused this to happen- should have done a 'view source' to see what provisionals they required. I then just got a spam letter from them saying I had been rejected for their own reasons - no reason given and no opportunity to appeal or find out why?

Anyway there's many 0%'s out there so as soon as I sort this credit / register issue out I'll hopefully be able to transfer this balance.

Thanks agains for the help

stuwilky

Bruno, its probably worth appealing, most lenders allow you to do this, but dont tell you about it. If you arent on the electoral roll there are some fair odds that it is down as one of their essential criteria when they credit search.

Write to the "underwriting department" with a covering letter and a copy of a utility bill or something which can prove your address askign them to review their decision. Odds are they will. I did this a few times when I moved and the local council (or me) cocked up our registration. Worth the price of a stamp to get out of paying interest!

oldagetraveller

Isn't the fine for not completing and/or returning the registration form rather than not being on the register? Could be wrong thopugh!

ashmit

Yeah, credit reference agencies use the last 6 years worth of addresses and details, whereas cc applications and the like only usually ask for 2 or three years. In your case, this would fall down, although it would usually work.

I have appealed against unsuccessful decisions before, one successfully, once not. I don't think it actually told me I could in either case but I did anyway Just wrote to the standard address and they passed it on. If it's as simple as not being on the electoral register it should be simple to appeal and hopefully be accepted.


Oldagetraveller, you could be right, I have no idea.

Bruno_Ward

cheers for all your help.
1) I've posted my electoral role for my new address
2) I've switched all my accounts, bills etc to my new address.
3) I'll appeal to Halifax as it was a rather good offer
4) I'll keep you posted on the results
B

Bruno_Ward

Actually I've just noticed something else. this is a bit off my original topic but, could the reason I got turned down be because I applied for a £4000 transfer? I've looked at other CC discussions and it seems that most people have a number of 0% cards with balanaces under £1000. i.e. 4x CC x £1000 = £4000. Have a I missed an FAQ on balance transfering somewhere and going about it all wrong?