Credit Check

[arsenal]

On few occasions when I wanted to buy stuff and pay for it over a period of time I was told that I do not pass the credit check. The shops told me that it could be because of the previous tenants at my address. How can I solve this problem? Thanx!!!

[darth vader]

Firstly you need to write to Experian and ask for a credit history for your address. It will cost you a nominal sum of �2 (http://www.experian.co.uk/ for details)
Once you've found the "hanging debts" on your address, you then need to contact the creditors in turn, explaining that the person who owes this money no longer lives at your address. They are usually quite helpful in clearing your good name, and will write to the credit agency to explain this. The Experian site has all the info and advice you need.

[darth vader]

blimey you don't even have to write anymore - you can order your credit file online!

[Obo]

Equifax is the other credit rating agency who will also provide a copy of your file for �2, When you've got this you can apply to both to be disassociated from non relevant people on your file, however, I believe the law is changing whereas only your own details can be used for your credit history and the bad debts of others you either live with or have lived at your address in the past won't be counted.

[ReverendMat]

The shops never get given the details, just yes or no, so they can only guess the reason why, so, whilst the above answers are all true there is another reason. If you've not had credit in the past or very little credit then you haven't built up a credit "score". without this score you also can't get credit. The answer in this case is to ask for a credit card or a loan from your usual bank as they will rarely turn you down. This way you start earning a credit score and with clean repayment history and then added loans/hire purchase agreements you'll develop a healthy credit score.