Check your credit reports first
Before doing anything else, get your credit reports from all three UK agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each lender may use a different agency, so it’s important to check all three.
You can access your reports for free through the services below. Look at the detail, not just the score — the score is a guide, but lenders make decisions based on the underlying data.
Check your credit reports for free
- CheckMyFileRecommended
The only service that shows your data from all three UK credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) in one report. Gives you the most complete picture of what mortgage lenders will see. Free 30-day trial, then £14.99/month.
- ExperianFree
Check your Experian credit score and report for free. Many UK mortgage lenders use Experian data, so this is an essential check. Also offers Experian Boost to add positive payment data.
- EquifaxFree
Access your Equifax credit report and score. You can also use ClearScore (free) which pulls data from Equifax. Useful for spotting errors that may not appear on other agencies.
Why check all three?
Different mortgage lenders use different credit agencies. An error on one report might not appear on another. Checking all three ensures you catch every issue before a lender does. CheckMyFile is the easiest way to see all three in one place.
What common errors should you dispute?
Credit report errors are more common than you might think. Fixing them can make an immediate difference.
Incorrect personal details
- Wrong address or addresses you’ve never lived at
- Incorrect date of birth
- Financial links to people you’re no longer connected to (e.g. an ex-partner)
Account errors
- Debts marked as unsatisfied when you’ve paid them
- Accounts that don’t belong to you (possible identity fraud)
- Late payments incorrectly recorded
How to dispute
- Raise a dispute directly with the credit agency
- They must investigate within 28 days
- Provide supporting evidence (payment receipts, correspondence)
- The agency will correct or remove inaccurate entries
Register on the electoral roll
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your credit profile. Being registered on the electoral roll at your current address helps lenders verify your identity and confirms you’re stable at that address.
If you’re not registered (or registered at a previous address), you can do it online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It typically updates on your credit file within a few weeks.
How to reduce existing debt before applying
Lenders look at your total debt commitments when assessing affordability. Reducing or clearing debts before you apply can improve both your credit profile and your borrowing capacity.
Pay down credit card balances
- Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit limit
- High utilisation signals financial stress to lenders
- Paying off balances in full each month is ideal
Clear small debts and loans
- Removing monthly commitments directly improves affordability
- Pay off the smallest debts first to free up cash flow
- Car finance and personal loans count against your borrowing capacity
Don’t take on new credit
- Avoid credit card applications, Buy Now Pay Later, or new loans in the 3–6 months before applying
- Each application leaves a hard search on your file
- New credit accounts reduce the average age of your accounts
Avoid Buy Now Pay Later
BNPL services like Klarna and Clearpay are increasingly reported to credit agencies. Multiple BNPL accounts or missed payments can negatively impact your mortgage application. Clear any outstanding BNPL balances before applying.
Should you close unused credit accounts?
This is nuanced. Having unused credit available can actually help your score by keeping your overall utilisation ratio low. But too many open accounts can concern lenders who worry about potential debt.
As a general rule: keep one or two credit cards you’ve had for a long time (they demonstrate a stable credit history) and close any you don’t use, especially store cards and newer accounts. Don’t open new cards just to improve your credit mix — the hard search and new account will temporarily lower your score.
How long do improvements take to show?
Credit improvements don’t happen overnight, but some changes show up faster than others.
If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage in 6–12 months, start these improvements now. Even partial progress can be enough to move you into a better rate bracket or qualify you with a wider range of lenders.
Building credit from scratch
Having no credit history can be almost as challenging as having bad credit. Lenders want to see evidence that you can borrow responsibly and repay on time. If you have a “thin” credit file — perhaps because you’re young, recently moved to the UK, or have always paid cash — here are some ways to build it up.
- 01
Register on the electoral roll
The foundation of any UK credit file. Do this first.
- 02
Get a credit-builder credit card
Use it for a small regular purchase (e.g. fuel or groceries) and pay the full balance every month. This builds a history of responsible borrowing at no cost to you.
- 03
Set up a mobile phone contract
Monthly phone contracts are reported to credit agencies. Paying on time each month adds to your positive payment history.
- 04
Consider Experian Boost or similar services
Some credit agencies let you link regular payments (council tax, streaming services, savings) to your credit file. This can add positive data that wouldn’t normally appear.
- 05
Be patient
Building a credit history takes time. Six to twelve months of responsible borrowing and on-time payments will make a real difference to your file.
Get a free credit review from Clearview
At Clearview Mortgage Solutions, we can review your credit file and tell you exactly where you stand. If improvements are needed, we’ll advise what to prioritise and when to apply for the best result. If you’re ready now, we’ll match you with the right lender for your current profile.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about your mortgage plans.