{"id":26552,"date":"2025-06-23T22:31:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T22:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/?p=26552"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:01:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:01:25","slug":"hard-credit-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is A Hard Credit Check? How Does It Affect Your Credit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Are you planning to apply for a loan, credit card, or financial contract? When you apply, lenders complete credit checks to assess your financial history. This includes a hard credit check (also called a hard search).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, we&#8217;ll explain what that means and how it may affect your own credit report. We&#8217;ll also cover the difference between hard and soft credit checks and how they impact your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f26f4a53e72\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f26f4a53e72\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#what_is_a_hard_credit_check\" >What Is a Hard Credit Check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#when_do_companies_perform_hard_credit_checks\" >When Do Companies Perform Hard Credit Checks?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#what_does_a_hard_credit_check_show\" >What Does a Hard Credit Check Show?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#what_is_the_difference_between_a_hard_credit_check_and_a_soft_credit_check\" >What is the Difference Between a Hard Credit Check and a Soft Credit Check?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#examples_of_soft_credit_checks_are\" >Examples of soft credit checks are:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#how_does_a_hard_credit_check_affect_your_credit_file\" >How Does a Hard Credit Check Affect Your Credit File?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#how_many_points_does_a_hard_credit_check_take_off_your_credit_score\" >How Many Points Does a Hard Credit Check Take off Your Credit Score?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#how_long_does_a_hard_credit_check_stay_on_my_credit_report\" >How Long Does a Hard Credit Check Stay on My Credit Report?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#is_a_hard_credit_check_bad_for_my_credit\" >Is a Hard Credit Check Bad for My Credit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#can_i_check_my_own_credit_score_without_a_hard_credit_check\" >Can I Check My Own Credit Score Without a Hard Credit Check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#tips_to_minimise_the_impact_of_hard_credit_checks\" >Tips to Minimise the Impact of Hard Credit Checks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/#in_summary\" >In Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_a_hard_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>What Is a Hard Credit Check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A hard credit check is a thorough review of your <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit report<\/a><\/strong>. This happens when you <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">apply for a loan<\/a><\/strong> or any sort of credit. It&#8217;s conducted by a lender or credit provider to evaluate your creditworthiness. Account history lenders use the hard credit search to assess if you&#8217;re likely to repay what you borrow. Even mobile phone companies will perform a hard credit search when you apply for a contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A hard credit search involves examining your full credit report. This includes your personal and financial information. Credit reference agencies like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/experian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Experian<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/equifax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Equifax<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/transunion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TransUnion<\/a><\/strong> provide this information to lenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike soft credit checks, hard credit checks leave a visible mark on your credit record that other lenders can see. This helps them know you&#8217;ve recently applied for credit elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when_do_companies_perform_hard_credit_checks\"><\/span><strong>When Do Companies Perform Hard Credit Checks?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies conduct hard credit checks in various situations. <strong>Here are common scenarios when a hard credit check might occur:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examples of a hard credit check include the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applications for loans, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/loans\/short-term-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">short term loans<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/loans\/bad-credit-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bad credit loans<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applications for credit cards and credit card eligibility checks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mortgage applications and mortgage agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Property rentals through letting agencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Car finance applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking out a mobile phone contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utility companies setting up new services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rental property applications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Hard credit checks are an in-depth check of your borrowing history. They show lenders how you&#8217;ve managed your past financial history and help them decide about offering credit to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_does_a_hard_credit_check_show\"><\/span><strong>What Does a Hard Credit Check Show?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a lender performs a hard credit search, they can see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your credit history and credit record<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Current and past loans or credit accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Payment history, including any missed payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public court records related to debt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bankruptcy or debt collection information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your current credit limits and balances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other recent credit applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal details including your name, address, and whether you&#8217;re on the electoral register<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment status and financial history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This full view helps lenders see if you manage accounts well and decide if you&#8217;re a good fit for new credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_the_difference_between_a_hard_credit_check_and_a_soft_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>What is the Difference Between a Hard Credit Check and a Soft Credit Check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A hard credit check differs from a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/soft-credit-check\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">soft credit check<\/a><\/strong> or soft credit search. Soft credit searches are more of a background check. They confirm your personal details and give companies a general overview of your financial situation without the detailed scrutiny of a hard check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soft credit checks don&#8217;t affect your credit score, while hard credit checks can temporarily lower it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"examples_of_soft_credit_checks_are\"><\/span><strong>Examples of soft credit checks are:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quotation checks<\/strong> &#8211; when you&#8217;re looking for insurance or credit quotations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Price comparison websites checking rates for you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurance checks<\/strong> &#8211; insurers often do a soft credit check when offering you insurance on a monthly payment plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you check your own credit score or own credit report<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-approval checks for credit card eligibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identity verification by other service providers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The key difference between soft and hard credit checks? Soft credit checks don&#8217;t leave a mark on your credit file that other companies can see. With hard credit checks, they will see your application history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many lenders offer soft search options before you actually apply. This allows you to check if you&#8217;re likely to be approved without affecting your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_does_a_hard_credit_check_affect_your_credit_file\"><\/span><strong>How Does a Hard Credit Check Affect Your Credit File?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time a company carries out a hard credit check, a mark is left on your credit file. This is sometimes referred to as a footprint. This check will be recorded on your credit file whether your application is successful or not, but it won&#8217;t show the outcome of your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This mark tells other lenders that you&#8217;ve made an application for some sort of borrowing or contract. Too many credit applications in a short period can signal financial difficulties to lenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple hard credit checks in a short period can significantly <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/what-affects-your-credit-score\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affect your credit score<\/a><\/strong>. This may reduce your chances of being approved for credit in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_many_points_does_a_hard_credit_check_take_off_your_credit_score\"><\/span><strong>How Many Points Does a Hard Credit Check Take off Your Credit Score?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a hard search is added to your credit file, it&#8217;ll remove points from your credit score. The amount it removes will vary depending on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-reference-agencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit reference agencies<\/a><\/strong>. There are three major ones: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A single hard inquiry will usually take fewer than five points off your FICO Score, with this score impact remaining for up to a year. If you make a few applications close together, your credit score could drop quite significantly. This could result in a lower credit rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple applications noted on your credit file close together could be a warning sign to other lenders. It could signal that you&#8217;re struggling with financial difficulties or that you&#8217;re not managing your money well. This may influence their decision when considering you for credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, with a poor credit score, it&#8217;ll be much harder for you to access new credit. Lenders typically offer their best rates to low risk applicants with good credit scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_long_does_a_hard_credit_check_stay_on_my_credit_report\"><\/span><strong>How Long Does a Hard Credit Check Stay on My Credit Report?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A hard credit check will stay on your file for up to two years.<\/strong> In most cases, it shouldn&#8217;t affect your credit score for more than a year, with the impact diminishing over time. After two years, the hard credit check will be automatically removed from your credit report. It will no longer affect your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is_a_hard_credit_check_bad_for_my_credit\"><\/span><strong>Is a Hard Credit Check Bad for My Credit?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A single hard credit check isn&#8217;t necessarily bad for your credit. In fact, it&#8217;s a normal part of applying for financial products. The real concern comes when you have multiple hard credit checks in a short period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Several hard inquiries in a short time can:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lower your credit score temporarily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signal to lenders that you might be a higher risk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce your chances of approval for new credit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potentially lead to higher interest rates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, some types of shopping for rates (like mortgage or auto loan) may be treated as a single inquiry if done within a short period (typically 14-45 days), depending on the credit scoring model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_check_my_own_credit_score_without_a_hard_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>Can I Check My Own Credit Score Without a Hard Credit Check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Yes! Checking your own credit score or reviewing your own credit report is considered a soft credit check.<\/strong> You can check your score as often as you like without any negative impact. You can use credit reference agencies like Experian to check your credit score for free without a hard credit check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regular monitoring of your full credit report can help you spot errors, potential fraud, and track your progress as you build your credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"tips_to_minimise_the_impact_of_hard_credit_checks\"><\/span><strong>Tips to Minimise the Impact of Hard Credit Checks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here are some ways to reduce the impact of hard credit checks on your credit score:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Space out your credit applications:<\/strong> Try to wait at least 3-6 months between applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use pre-qualification tools:<\/strong> Many lenders offer soft credit searches to check your likelihood of approval before you formally apply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do your research:<\/strong> Compare loans and credit cards using price comparison websites that use soft searches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apply only for credit you&#8217;re likely to get:<\/strong> Check eligibility criteria before applying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider your timing:<\/strong> If you&#8217;re planning to apply for important credit (like a mortgage), avoid other credit applications for at least 6 months beforehand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rate shop efficiently:<\/strong> When shopping for specific loans like mortgages or car finance, try to complete all applications within a 14-day period, as many scoring models will count these as a single inquiry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monitor your credit regularly:<\/strong> Check your credit report to ensure all hard inquiries are legitimate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"in_summary\"><\/span><strong>In Summary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you apply for a new loan or before taking out any new contract, think about the timing. Have you applied for a loan or taken out a new contract within the last month or two? If so, consider whether you could delay applying for another one \u2013 at least for a couple of months. That way it&#8217;s less likely to significantly affect your credit score and future lending decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to keep an eye on your credit score and, if possible, take action to improve your rating. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/improve-your-credit-score\/\"><strong>better your credit score<\/strong><\/a>, the easier it is to get credit and to manage your money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disclaimer<\/strong>: Please note, we are not providing financial advice. Our blogs are written for informational purposes only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you planning to apply for a loan, credit card, or financial contract? When you apply, lenders complete credit checks to assess your financial history. This includes a hard credit check (also called a hard search). Here, we&#8217;ll explain what that means and how it may affect your own credit report. We&#8217;ll also cover the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":26554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[267],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-loans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26552"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26552"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28127,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26552\/revisions\/28127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}