Your credit score affects everything from mortgages to mobile phone contracts. This guide explains exactly how to get a mortgage with bad credit, with practical steps you can take today.
- Check all three bureaus free — one clean file doesn't mean three
- Keep old cards open — account age and unused limits both help
- Electoral roll + utilisation under 30% + zero missed payments = the core formula
- Pay cards before the statement date (not due date) to shrink reported balances
What Actually Moves the Needle
Financial associations outlive relationships: a joint account or mortgage links your file to another person's record until you file a notice of disassociation. An ex-partner's missed payments can quietly tax your applications for years.
Credit scoring rewards boring consistency above everything: long-held accounts, low utilisation, zero missed payments. There are no shortcuts, but there are accelerants: electoral-roll registration shows within weeks, and paying before your statement date (not the due date) reports lower utilisation immediately.
Your three credit files disagree more than you'd think: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion hold overlapping but distinct records, and an error on any one can sink an application with lenders who use it. Statutory reports are free from all three.
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 do I improve my credit score fastest?
Three moves matter most: electoral roll, utilisation under 25–30%, and perfect payment history. Visible improvements typically show within 1–3 months.
Does checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own file is a soft search, invisible to lenders and free at all three bureaus. Only applications create hard searches.
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. Treat your visible score as a rough health gauge only.
How long does negative information last?
Missed payments, defaults and CCJs stay for 6 years, whether or not you later pay. Recent behaviour weighs far more than old problems.
Should I close old credit cards?
Often it's better to keep them. 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.
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