{"id":26960,"date":"2022-12-20T11:28:12","date_gmt":"2022-12-20T10:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/?p=26960"},"modified":"2024-01-02T13:19:22","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T13:19:22","slug":"credit-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About a Credit Check in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Did you know that around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/money\/10-million-uk-adults-found-12336923\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>10 million people in the UK<\/strong><\/a> have a mistake on their credit report as per an article published by The Mirror in 2018? A mistake could create difficulties when they apply for credit, yet a lot of people don\u2019t check their credit files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you want to borrow money from an FCA regulated lender in the UK, a credit check will be completed. That\u2019s why it\u2019s worth making sure it\u2019s accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But what is a credit check and why is it done? <\/strong>To find the answer to these questions and more, read on. We\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know about a credit check.<\/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-69f27fbd3e757\" 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-69f27fbd3e757\"  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\/credit-check\/#whats_a_credit_check\" >What\u2019s a 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\/credit-check\/#why_is_a_credit_check_needed\" >Why is a credit check needed?<\/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\/credit-check\/#how_long_does_a_credit_check_take\" >How long does a credit check take?<\/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\/credit-check\/#what_information_does_a_credit_check_show\" >What information does a credit check show?<\/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\/credit-check\/#1_your_personal_information\" >1. Your personal information<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#2_whether_youre_on_the_electoral_roll\" >2. Whether you\u2019re on the electoral roll<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#3_a_list_of_all_your_credit_accounts\" >3. A list of all your credit accounts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#4_public_information\" >4. Public information<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#5_details_of_people_who_youre_linked_to_financially\" >5. Details of people who you\u2019re linked to financially<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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\/credit-check\/#types_of_credit_checks\" >Types of credit checks<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#what_is_a_soft_credit_check\" >What is a soft credit check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#what_is_a_hard_credit_check\" >What is a hard credit check?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#does_a_credit_check_affect_my_credit_score\" >Does a credit check affect my credit score?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#who_can_run_a_credit_check_on_me\" >Who can run a credit check on me?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#how_can_i_find_out_what_lenders_see_from_a_credit_check\" >How can I find out what lenders see from a credit check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#can_i_fail_a_credit_check\" >Can I fail a credit check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#how_can_i_improve_my_credit_rating\" >How can I improve my credit rating?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#can_i_get_loans_without_a_credit_check\" >Can I get loans without a credit check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#final_words\" >Final words<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#faqs_%e2%80%93_credit_checks\" >FAQs &#8211; Credit Checks<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#what_information_is_needed_for_a_credit_check\" >What information is needed for a credit check?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#can_i_get_a_hard_credit_check_removed\" >Can I get a hard credit check removed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/credit-check\/#will_checking_my_credit_file_myself_affect_my_credit_score\" >Will checking my credit file myself affect my credit score?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-s-a-credit-check\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"whats_a_credit_check\"><\/span>What\u2019s a credit check?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A credit check is when a company looks at your credit history<\/strong>. They do it to help them decide if they want to do business with you. It shows them what your financial situation is and how well you\u2019ve managed your money in the past. It can also be used to verify who you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies will go to a credit reference agency (CRA) to do a credit check on you. They&#8217;ll look at your credit report where information about you and your borrowings will be recorded. <strong>The three main CRAs in the UK are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.experian.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Experian<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.equifax.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Equifax<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transunion.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TransUnion<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also where you need to go if you want to check your own credit file. It\u2019s where you need to look to make sure that what\u2019s been recorded about you is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-is-a-credit-check-needed\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"why_is_a_credit_check_needed\"><\/span><strong>Why is a credit check needed?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are three main reasons why a credit check is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong>Credit checks provide lenders with information about a borrower&#8217;s financial history<\/strong>. This information helps them to determine whether a borrower is likely to repay a loan. They want to know if they\u2019re taking a risk lending money to someone who may not be able to pay it back.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Credit checks also help to prevent fraud and identity theft. By checking a borrower&#8217;s credit report, lenders can confirm that the borrower is who they say they are. &nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the UK, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/financial-conduct-authority\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/financial-conduct-authority\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)<\/a> has guidelines that all lenders must follow. And all reputable lenders are registered with the FCA. Their guidelines include carrying out a credit check when someone applies for a loan. This is to make sure the borrower can afford to repay the debt they\u2019re applying for.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-long-does-a-credit-check-take\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_long_does_a_credit_check_take\"><\/span><strong>How long does a credit check take?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A credit check can be done quite quickly, with information being provided to the lender the same day.<\/strong> But it depends on what sort of credit check is being done and what the lender is checking for. If the company is only looking to verify you, they can often give you confirmation within minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re waiting for a response from a lender you\u2019ve applied with, then the outcome will depend on the lender. Some will be able to give you an answer within an hour while others may take a couple of days. It depends on the lender\u2019s internal checking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-information-does-a-credit-check-show\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_information_does_a_credit_check_show\"><\/span><strong>What information does a credit check show?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s quite a lot of information recorded on your credit file. When a credit check is carried out, the lender may want to look at some or all of the following information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-your-personal-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_your_personal_information\"><\/span><strong>1. Your personal information<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This would include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your date of birth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your current and previous addresses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-whether-you-re-on-the-electoral-roll\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_whether_youre_on_the_electoral_roll\"><\/span><strong>2. Whether you\u2019re on the electoral roll<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your credit report will confirm whether you\u2019re registered to vote. It helps if you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-a-list-of-all-your-credit-accounts\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_a_list_of_all_your_credit_accounts\"><\/span><strong>3. A list of all your credit accounts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes every type of credit account you have. It can be anything from your bank account to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/\"><strong>loans<\/strong><\/a>, mortgages or credit cards. Your credit report will show all the payments you make to these credit accounts too. And it\u2019ll show if they\u2019re paid late or on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-public-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_public_information\"><\/span><strong>4. Public information<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Public information is items that are reported on the public record. For example, these would include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-a-ccj\/\"><strong>County Court Judgements<\/strong><\/a> (CCJs), repossessions and bankruptcies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-details-of-people-who-you-re-linked-to-financially\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_details_of_people_who_youre_linked_to_financially\"><\/span><strong>5. Details of people who you\u2019re linked to financially<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve taken out any joint borrowings or bank accounts with someone, they\u2019ll be linked to you financially and will show up on your credit report. It means that lenders may look at their credit report too when deciding whether to lend to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types-of-credit-checks\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"types_of_credit_checks\"><\/span><strong>Types of credit checks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of credit checks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/soft-credit-check\/\">Soft credit check<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/hard-credit-check\/\">Hard credit check<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-soft-credit-check\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_a_soft_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>What is a soft credit check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A soft search of your credit file isn\u2019t a full examination of your credit history.<\/strong> It\u2019s just an initial check. Companies do a soft credit check to take an initial look at your credit report. They do this to find out if you\u2019re eligible to apply for a loan or other type of borrowing with them. And it won\u2019t leave a mark on your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-hard-credit-check\"><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><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A hard credit check is when a company looks at more detailed information on your credit file<\/strong>. This would include your personal details, your credit history and any existing debts you have. The information they gather will help them make their decision about your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A hard check will have a temporary impact on your credit score, but it won\u2019t stay on there for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s worth checking your credit file first to see how likely it is that your application will be approved. Don\u2019t forget, it\u2019s not just loan companies that might run a credit check on you, other businesses might too. When you take out a new mobile phone contract for example, they\u2019ll run a credit check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"does-a-credit-check-affect-my-credit-score\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"does_a_credit_check_affect_my_credit_score\"><\/span><strong>Does a credit check affect my credit score?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on whether it\u2019s a soft or a hard credit check. The table below shows which credit check will affect your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type of credit check<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Does it impact your credit score<\/strong> <strong>Yes\/No<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Soft credit check<\/td><td>No<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hard credit check<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As seen above, soft credit checks don\u2019t impact your credit score.<\/strong> They don\u2019t leave a mark on your credit file for other lenders to see. Only you can see that a soft search has been done on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hard credit checks will leave a mark on your credit file<\/strong>, and it\u2019ll affect your credit score. Even if you\u2019re not approved, the mark will still be there for other lenders to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hard credit check will remain on your credit report for up to 12 months. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important that you don\u2019t make too many applications over a short space of time. A lot of loan applications can make you look desperate for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-can-run-a-credit-check-on-me\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"who_can_run_a_credit_check_on_me\"><\/span><strong>Who can run a credit check on me?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A person or company that has a legitimate business need for your credit history can access your report. <strong>But only lenders regulated by the FCA will run a credit check on you.<\/strong> The table below shows who might want to look at your credit report and why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Who might look at your credit report<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Why they\u2019d look at your credit report<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Banks<\/td><td>When you open a new bank account, they\u2019ll verify you and check your credit history.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mortgage, credit card and loan providers<\/td><td>When you apply for any form of lending, the provider will want to verify you and check your credit history. It\u2019ll help them decide if they\u2019re going lend to you and what interest rate they\u2019ll offer.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mobile phone and utility companies<\/td><td>They\u2019ll look at your credit report to verify you. They may want to see how you\u2019ve managed previous credit before setting up an account with you.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Debt collection agencies<\/td><td>Once a debt is passed to them, they have the same right to look at your credit report that the original lender had. The reason they\u2019d look at your credit report would be to help them decide how to collect your outstanding debt.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Insurance companies<\/td><td>House or car insurance companies may use your credit report to verify you.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Potential employers<\/td><td>Employers may want to check your credit history depending on the field of work you\u2019re entering.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Landlords and letting agencies<\/td><td>They would look at your credit report to verify you and to see how likely it is that you\u2019ll pay the rent on time. Not all landlords do this so check with them.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-i-find-out-what-lenders-see-from-a-credit-check\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_can_i_find_out_what_lenders_see_from_a_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>How can I find out what lenders see from a credit check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s quite easy to find out what information lenders can see when they perform a credit check. They\u2019ll see what\u2019s held on your credit file, which is recorded with the three CRAs mentioned above. They\u2019re Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can see that information too, just by getting a full credit report from the CRAs. It\u2019s how you can do a credit check on yourself. <strong>You\u2019re entitled to one full credit report for free every 12 months from them.<\/strong> If you want to see what\u2019s on your credit file more often than this, then you\u2019ll have to pay a fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are credit monitoring services in the UK who\u2019ll give you information on your credit report for free. These services include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clearscore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clearscore<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditkarma.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit Karma<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.checkmyfile.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CheckMyFile<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These credit monitoring services will give you your credit score for free, but you won\u2019t get a full report. As with the CRAs you\u2019ll have to pay to get a full credit report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-i-fail-a-credit-check\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_fail_a_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>Can I fail a credit check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Yes, you can fail a credit check.<\/strong> There are some common reasons why your credit check might fail including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You\u2019ve missed or made late payments to your debts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019ve maxed out your credit cards to their limit and have no spare credit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019ve made a lot of applications for credit recently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019ve got defaults, bankruptcies, or County Court Judgements on your credit file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019re linked to someone with a poor credit rating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There\u2019s an error on your credit file.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do fail a credit check, don&#8217;t worry. There are ways to improve your chances of being approved for credit in the future. We\u2019ve got some steps you can take next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-i-improve-my-credit-rating\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_can_i_improve_my_credit_rating\"><\/span><strong>How can I improve my credit rating?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re worried about your credit rating, there are a few things you can do to improve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li>Make sure that you keep up with your repayments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try to pay down your debt and keep it under 30% of your credit limit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you haven\u2019t got a credit history, a credit builder credit card could help.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Register on the electoral roll.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure there are no errors on your credit report. Having the wrong address could affect your application.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>By following the tips above, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/improve-your-credit-score\/\"><strong>you can start to improve your score<\/strong><\/a> and get on the path to better credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-i-get-loans-without-a-credit-check\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_get_loans_without_a_credit_check\"><\/span><strong>Can I get loans without a credit check?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you may be able to <strong>find a lender who can lend you a loan without running a hard credit check<\/strong>. But all FCA authorised lenders will perform a full credit check on you. It\u2019s a required part of the FCA guides on lending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do find a company who\u2019s willing to lend to you without doing a hard credit check, make sure you read their terms. These loans tend to come with high interest rates and fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re better off doing what you can to improve your credit score before applying for a loan. You can reach out to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.turn2us.org.uk\/Get-Support\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.turn2us.org.uk\/Get-Support\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">turn2us<\/a> to gain support or advice in case of financial difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-words\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"final_words\"><\/span><strong>Final words<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Credit checks are an important part of the lending process<\/strong>. They help lenders decide whether you can afford the loan you\u2019re applying for. By understanding how credit checks work, you can be better prepared when you apply for any type of loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs-credit-checks\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faqs_%e2%80%93_credit_checks\"><\/span><strong>FAQs &#8211; Credit Checks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1671466127300\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_information_is_needed_for_a_credit_check\"><\/span>What information is needed for a credit check?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>To get a credit check done you\u2019ll need to provide the following information.<br \/>1. Your full name<br \/>2. Any other names you\u2019ve used or been known by<br \/>3. Your full address including postcode<br \/>4. Any other addresses you have lived at in the last six years<br \/>5. Your date of birth<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1671466245071\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"can_i_get_a_hard_credit_check_removed\"><\/span>Can I get a hard credit check removed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p><strong>No, you can\u2019t get a hard credit check removed from your credit file.<\/strong> It might stay on there for up to 12 months. But if there\u2019s a hard check on there that you don\u2019t recognise, get in touch with the CRA straight away. It may be a sign of fraud or identity theft.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1671466257319\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"will_checking_my_credit_file_myself_affect_my_credit_score\"><\/span>Will checking my credit file myself affect my credit score?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p><strong>No, it won\u2019t.<\/strong> You can check your credit file as many times as you want, and it won\u2019t affect your credit score. Lenders won\u2019t be able to see that you\u2019ve checked it either. This is because when you check your own score it\u2019s a soft check so only you can see it.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> We are not providing financial advice. These are just tips for informational purposes. Also, we are not affiliated to any of the external parties linked here, they are provided for reference only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that around 10 million people in the UK have a mistake on their credit report as per an article published by The Mirror in 2018? A mistake could create difficulties when they apply for credit, yet a lot of people don\u2019t check their credit files. Whenever you want to borrow money from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":26962,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[267],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26960","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\/26960"}],"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=26960"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26963,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26960\/revisions\/26963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lendingstream.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}