The better your credit score, the higher the chances of you being accepted for the financial product of your choice but, of course, there are also loans for people with bad credit. To make sure that you receive the best deal with the lowest APR, you can follow a number of steps that will help you increase your credit score or improve your credit rating. Here’s how:
How to improve your credit rating
1. A simple, but probably the most effective thing to do is to pay your bills on time and stay within the agreed credit limit!
2. Regularly check your credit files. You can get a credit report online and see exactly which debts you have and you have them with. Your report will also tell you who searched your credit file.
3. Get onto the Electoral Roll: Register with your local electoral registration office and make sure to always update your address, if you move house.
4. Reconsider, if a joint account with your partner is the best option. If they have a bad credit history, this will drag you down and affect your chances of getting credit.
5. If you are applying for credit and are rejected, don’t rush into the next application. Spread applications out or you might seem too desperate to gain credit.
6. Close old accounts and keep new ones up to date. Old catalogue or mobile phone accounts that you haven’t used for years might still be listed as active. Close them down, if you don’t need them anymore.
7. If you notice mistakes on your credit report, make sure to correct them. Contact lenders and companies you’ve had credit with and ask them to correct mistakes. Should they refuse to amend any mistakes on your credit file, contact an ombudsman.
8. Small things like a landline telephone number can make a great impact on your credit rating as it shows your potential lender that you are loyal and reliable.
9. If you want to build your credit score, using a credit card for small purchases and paying your balance off every month might be an option that you want to look into. It can help prove your reliability to possible lenders.
10. Lastly, use the chance to inform potential creditors about reasons for periods of bad payment by adding a notice of correction.
Doing all of the above will help keep your credit rating as high as possible, for the best chance of getting a ‘yes’ when you need credit.
Do you regularly check your credit rating and take steps to improve it?
This is a collaborative post
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