10 ways to improve your credit score

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What is my credit score?

Your credit score, also known as your credit rating, is the numerical value that is assigned to you based on everything that appears on your credit history. Credit scores are calculated by credit reference agencies such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They’re used by lenders and credit providers to determine if you’re a good candidate for a loan or other credit product.

Throughout your life, your ability to manage various types of credit will be recorded on your credit report – and that activity forms the basis of your credit score. If lenders see something less than savoury in your borrowing history, they may view you as a borrower who’ll either miss or make late payments, which can result in being denied or getting approved with unfavourable rates and terms.

How do I improve my credit score?

There are a number of things you can do to boost your credit rating, but it’s best to think of it as an ongoing process, not something that only requires a quick fix. While your financial history plays a big part in determining your credit score, another large aspect is making sure that your personal information is up-to-date, correct and accessible by lenders.

Here are the top 10 ways to improve your credit score:

1. Register on the electoral roll

This is possibly the easiest way to help build your credit rating. Being on the electoral roll gives lenders proof that you are who you say you are when you apply for a credit product and helps them ensure that you’re a real person.

2. Always pay your bills on time

Whether it’s for your phone, Internet or utilities, paying your bills in full and on time shows potential lenders that you’re responsible with your finances and capable of managing ongoing debts.

3. Make sure your credit file is correct

It’s important to regularly check your credit report for any errors in your personal details or financial history. Even relatively minor mistakes like having the wrong date of birth can have a negative impact on your ability to get credit.

4. Check for identity theft or fraud

Along with keeping your personal information up-to-date, you should also check your credit file and report for any potential fraudulent activity, such as someone applying for credit using your name or details. If you find anything suspicious, you should contact the credit reference agency directly.

5. Avoid county court judgements (CCJs)

Receiving any county court judgements for debt, or any other form of bankruptcy or default, will seriously affect your credit score. It will also make it much harder to get a loan or credit product in future.

6. Reduce existing debt

If you’re still paying off a loan or credit card, you should prioritise getting these debts down as much as possible or paying them off in full. Ideally, you should pay off most or all of your existing loans before applying for a new one.

7. Staying at the same home

While it’s not always possible, having a stable address for an extended period of time, whether you’re an owner or renter, reflects well on your credit file and may make lenders more likely to consider you for a loan.

8. Maintain a good credit utilisation ratio

Your credit utilisation ratio is the amount of your credit you use compared to your overall credit limit. For example, if the total of your combined credit limits is £1,000 and you’re using £400, then you’d have a credit utilisation ratio of 40%. You should always try and keep your ratio below 25% if possible.

9. Consolidate your debt

If you have multiple debts, it may be a good idea to try and consolidate them using a debt consolidation loan. This can make it easier to manage your debt payments and show potential lenders you’re responsible about paying off your existing debt. You may even be able to reduce your repayments if you can find a loan with a lower interest rate.

10. Open a credit account

If you have limited credit history, you should consider opening a small credit account, such as a credit-builder credit card, to help build your credit. Just make sure to pay off your credit limit on time each month, otherwise you may end up negatively affecting your credit rating.

What is a good credit score?

Unfortunately there’s no universal credit rating system, so a good credit score could be defined as one that doesn’t negatively impact your ability to get approved for credit and ideally helps you get access to the best interest rate and credit products.

Different credit reference agencies use their own ratings systems to calculate your credit score, so what’s considered a good score with Equifax, for example, won’t necessarily be considered a good score with Experian and vice versa. The credit ratings systems of the three major credit reference agencies are:

What lowers your credit score?

• Applying for too many loans or credit products. Each time you apply for credit, the lender will perform a hard credit check, which will be recorded on your credit file. If you’re regularly applying for credit or applying for a lot of credit products in a short period of time, you’re likely to suffer a hit to your credit score, as providers will see you as a risk.
• Using too much of your available credit. While your credit limit is there to be used, lenders will consider it a red flag if you’re constantly using most or all of your available credit limit. It’s important to try and keep your credit utilisation ratio below 25% if possible.
• Failing to repay debts on time. Any late or missed payments will be recorded on your credit file and have a negative impact on your credit rating.
• Taking out too many short term loans. This will generally be seen as a red flag by lenders as it suggests you have problems managing your money or meeting your financial obligations.
• County court judgements (CCJs) or bankruptcies. Any form of default on an existing debt or loan will naturally have a huge effect on your credit rating and is likely to make it a lot harder to be approved for credit going forward.
• Incorrect or out-of-date information on your credit file. If your credit file contains lots of errors or mistakes it will make you appear less trustworthy to lenders and impact your credit rating.

How long does it take to improve your credit score?

It can take some time to improve your credit rating, especially if you already have some black marks on your credit file. Improving your credit score is a matter of repairing any existing negative marks and also building positive credit history, both of which can take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years.

In addition to making payments on time and not getting yourself into lots of debt, you really just have to keep your head up, practice the aforementioned credit habits and be patient when waiting for your credit score to improve. For now, you should continue to focus on maintaining healthy credit habits and wait until the black marks reach their expiration age on your credit report.

Can you improve your credit score fast?

Unfortunately there is no tried and tested way to quickly improve your credit score or rating. It’s better to think of your credit score as an ongoing thing and instead focus on building good credit-building habits that you can sustain over time. Make sure you always pay your bills and debts on time and regularly check and update the details on your credit file.