To access the best mortgage deals it is important to have a a good credit score score. You can check your credit score for free with one of the main three credit reference agencies in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You can use your report to identify areas that you need to improve.
There are numerous activities to do to improve your score, as well as ensuring that any expense was paid off promptly and you will lowering your expenses.
Read our ultimate guide to change your credit score for the full lowdown. We’ve also put together a 12-month package to a better bad credit installment loans Nevada credit score, which breaks it down into easy-to-follow steps.
5. Sign in so you can vote
Before you make a mortgage application, make sure you are on the electoral check in as this can improve your credit score by around 50 points. It also allows lenders to check that you are who you say you are and make sure the details on your application are accurate.
If you are not registered to vote, you can sign up online. It only takes about five minutes and you’ll need your National Insurance number to hand. Check the Government’s website to see if you are eligible.
six. Keep the expenses payments
Another important thing you can do to improve your credit rating and you can chances of having your app accepted will be to keep the bill costs.
Lenders will check your credit report to see how you’ve managed your finances in the past and use this data to predict your future behaviour. Missing just one payment can knock off around 130 affairs from your credit score. But if you have a good credit score and a solid history of repaying your bills on time, this will work in your favour.
Ideally, you want to pay your credit card balance off in full each month to avoid all interest and charges. But if this is not possible, you need to pay at least the minimal fee, so that your credit file isn’t affected. Consider setting up a direct debit so you never miss a payment.
For folks who look at the credit file and get that it is maybe not direct, attempt to contact the lender to get it current. If you don’t, completely wrong suggestions could impression your credit rating plus power to score home financing.
Make sure that info just like your label and you will address was proving precisely, and you may argument people mistakes (such as credit searches, circumstances or financial connections) you never understand. Be aware that required few weeks to possess mistakes become upgraded, depending on the financial additionally the credit source company, so the sooner you appear into the which the greater.
8. Clean out any dated monetary ties
If you’ve ever had a shared financial product with someone, this can let you know in your credit report. It won’t apply to your credit rating it could affect how lenders view you. And if you’re of somebody who has a woeful credit background, it might be best to clean out connections with these people off your own report this doesn’t reflect poorly on you.
To begin with, make sure the shared membership might have been finalized. After that get in touch with the appropriate borrowing from the bank reference providers so you’re able to consult a great observe out of disassociation’ to remove people connections from your own credit file.
nine. Increase your put
The higher your deposit, the lower the amount you’ll need to borrow from the bank. This is known as your loan in order to worth‘ (or LTV). Saving a large deposit can boost your chances of getting your mortgage application accepted because the bank is likely to feel more comfortable if you can put a lot of money down upfront (usually over 10% of the value). If the house value was to drop, you would be less likely to go into negative security with a large deposit behind you.