Your credit score affects everything from mortgages to mobile phone contracts. This guide explains exactly how to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, with practical steps you can take today.
- Pay cards before the statement date (not due date) to shrink reported balances
- Check all three bureaus free — each holds different data and different errors
- Keep old cards open — closing your oldest card can hurt
- Electoral roll + utilisation under 30% + zero missed payments = most of the score
Insider Notes
Your three credit files disagree more than you'd think: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion hold overlapping but distinct records, and each error is invisible until the wrong lender checks the wrong file. All three offer free access — use it annually.
Old joint accounts haunt credit files: a joint account or mortgage links your file to another person's record indefinitely unless you formally disassociate. An ex-partner's missed payments can quietly tax your applications for years.
UK Credit Score Ranges
| Agency | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | 0-560 | 561-720 | 721-880 | 881-999 |
| Equifax | 0-438 | 439-530 | 531-670 | 671-700 |
| TransUnion | 0-550 | 551-565 | 566-603 | 604-710 |
Fastest Ways to Improve Your Credit Score
- Register on the electoral roll at your current address — instant improvement
- Check for errors on your credit report and dispute any mistakes
- Pay all bills on time — set up direct debits for minimum payments
- Reduce credit utilisation below 30% of your credit limit
- Avoid applying for multiple credit products at once
- Keep old accounts open — a longer credit history helps your score
- Use a credit builder card and pay it off in full each month
FAQs
How long does negative information last?
Missed payments, defaults and CCJs stay for six years from the event, whether or not you later pay. Recent behaviour weighs far more than old problems.
How do I improve my credit score fastest?
Register on the electoral roll, cut utilisation below 30%, and never miss a payment. Visible improvements typically show within one to three statement cycles.
Which credit score do lenders actually use?
Not Experian's, Equifax's or TransUnion's headline number — lenders build internal scores from the underlying data. Focus on the report contents, not the marketing number.
Should I close old credit cards?
Usually not. Old accounts lengthen credit history and unused limits lower utilisation — closing your oldest card can actually drop your score. Close cards only if temptation or fees outweigh that.
Does checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own file is a soft search, always free and harmless. Only applications create hard searches.
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