Understanding Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a number that summarises your creditworthiness. Lenders use this alongside your full credit report to assess risk. A higher score gives you access to better mortgage rates.
Step 1: Check Your Credit Reports
Start by checking your credit reports with all three main agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion (via Credit Karma). Different lenders check different agencies.
Use a free service like CheckMyFile to see all three credit reports in one place. They offer a 30-day free trial.
Step 2: Get on the Electoral Roll
This is one of the quickest wins. Being registered to vote at your current address helps lenders verify your identity and address.
How Long Will Improvement Take?
Some changes show within 1-2 months (reducing utilisation, getting on electoral roll). Others take longer - negative marks like missed payments stay on your file for 6 years but their impact reduces over time.