How to improve your credit score

Check your credit reports

Start by reviewing the information held about you. Errors, outdated addresses or accounts you do not recognise can affect how lenders assess an application.

Check more than one credit reference agency

The UK's three main credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. They may hold slightly different information about you, so checking more than one report can give you a fuller picture.

• Personal details and current address
• Open and closed credit accounts
• Payment history
• Credit limits and balances
• Recent credit searches
• Financial associations
• Relevant public-record information

Correct errors on your credit file

If you find information that appears inaccurate, contact the credit reference agency and, where relevant, the lender or organisation that supplied the information.

1. 1Identify the inaccurate entry
2. 2Gather supporting evidence
3. 3Raise a dispute with the agency
4. 4Contact the lender or data provider if necessary
5. 5Check the report again after the dispute is resolved

Do not assume an entry will disappear simply because you dispute it. Accurate negative information may remain on your report for the period allowed under the relevant rules.

Build better credit habits

Pay bills and credit commitments on time

Consistent, on-time payments are one of the clearest signs that you are managing borrowing responsibly.

Keep balances manageable

Try to avoid carrying unnecessarily high balances relative to the credit available to you. Lower utilisation can generally be preferable, but there is no universal percentage that guarantees a better score.

Keep well-managed accounts where appropriate

Older accounts with a positive payment history can contribute useful history to your credit file. Do not close an account purely to try to increase your score without considering the wider effect on your available credit and finances.

Register on the electoral roll where eligible

Being registered at your current address can help lenders and credit reference agencies verify your identity and address.

Manage credit applications carefully

Making several formal credit applications in a short period can result in multiple hard searches appearing on your credit file.

Use eligibility checkers first

Where available, consider using an eligibility checker that explicitly confirms it uses a soft search. A soft search generally does not affect your credit score in the same way as a formal hard application search.

Apply when your finances are stable

Try to avoid making an application in the middle of significant financial or employment changes if waiting is realistic. Lenders assess affordability as well as credit-reference information.

What can help — and what can hurt

What not to do

• Do not apply for several credit products just to see who accepts you.
• Do not take out unnecessary credit solely to try to increase a score.
• Do not close long-standing accounts automatically without considering the wider impact.
• Do not ignore incorrect information on your credit report.
• Do not assume a high consumer-facing score guarantees approval.

Different lenders use different criteria, affordability checks and risk models.

Missed payments, defaults and CCJs

Serious payment problems such as missed payments, defaults or County Court Judgments can affect how lenders assess you. If any information is inaccurate, dispute it. If it is accurate, focus on bringing accounts up to date where possible and building a stronger recent payment history.

Some lenders specialise in applicants with more complex credit histories, but pricing and eligibility can differ significantly.

How long does it take to improve your credit profile?

There is no fixed timetable. Some changes, such as correcting an error, may be reflected relatively quickly once updated. Building a stronger repayment history generally takes longer because lenders and scoring models look at patterns over time.

Do not rely on services that promise a guaranteed score increase within a specific number of days.