Credit report guide for moving house: What you need to know

Moving house is exciting, but your credit report might be the silent deal-breaker. Whether you’re buying your first home or renting a new flat, understanding and improving your credit report is essential to securing better mortgage deals and smoother approvals.

Let’s break it down, step-by-step — no jargon, no stress.

Why your credit report matters when you move

Think of your credit report as your financial reputation. Mortgage lenders use it to decide:

• If you’re trustworthy enough to lend to
• What interest rate you’ll get
• Whether you’ll be approved at all

Even landlords are starting to check credit reports before handing over the keys.

Once you understand the report itself, it’s worth checking how your credit score affects mortgage readiness.

🎉Fun fact: Nearly half of UK adults never checked their credit report, despite it being one of the most important documents in the moving process — don’t be one of them.

What is a credit report?

Your credit report is like a financial diary that follows you around. It records how you’ve managed money in the past and helps lenders predict whether you’ll be reliable in the future.

Lenders use it to:

• Confirm your identity (crucial when large sums are involved).
• Verify your address history (they want to know you won’t do a runner).
• Assess your borrowing behaviour (do you pay bills on time?).
• Understand your financial connections (joint accounts link you to other people’s credit histories).

What’s in a credit report?

What IS included:

• Your name, date of birth, and current address
• Electoral roll registration status (register now if you haven’t!)
• Current debts and credit limits
• Payment history on loans and credit cards
• County Court Judgements (CCJs)
• Bankruptcy or IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) records
• Previous addresses and any money owed when moving

What ISN’T included:

• Your salary or bank account balances
• Student loans (unless they’ve been passed to a debt collection agency)
• Parking fines or council tax arrears
• Medical history
• Criminal record

💡__Pro tip: Your salary isn’t on your credit report, but lenders will ask for payslips separately during mortgage applications.

How to check your credit report

There are three major credit reference agencies in the UK — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and they don’t all hold the same information about you.

Why this matters for movers? Different mortgage lenders use different agencies. You might have a spotless record with Experian but a blot on your TransUnion file that could damage your mortgage application. Checking all three gives you the complete picture.

The good news? You can check all three reports for free, as often as you like, without damaging your credit score.

Fixing credit report errors

Found an error? Don’t panic but do act fast. Mistakes on credit reports are surprisingly common and could torpedo your mortgage application if left uncorrected.

What to do:

1. Contact the company that provided the incorrect information.
2. Or contact the credit agency directly.
3. Wait up to 28 days for them to investigate.
4. Add a ‘notice of correction’ (up to 200 words) if they won’t budge.

Moving-specific example: If you missed a payment because of completion delays or moving stress, explain this in your notice of correction. Lenders appreciate context.

Building credit before you move

Got a “thin” credit file? This is particularly common among young first-time buyers, people who’ve always paid cash, and recent arrivals to the UK.

If you’re saving towards your first deposit, building credit alongside your savings puts you in a stronger position.

Quick wins for building credit:

• Register on the electoral roll at your current address.
• Consider a credit-building card (but use it wisely to show you can borrow and repay on time).
• Explore open banking to share more financial data.
• Keep old accounts open (even if unused) to show longer credit history.

Understanding your credit score

They say three is the magic number, and that certainly applies to the three digits that make up your credit score. Alongside your report, each credit agency assigns you a credit score using their own system. This means the scores can differ, but generally a higher score means:

• Better mortgage rates (potentially saving thousands over the loan term)
• Higher borrowing limits (especially if you’re relying on a 95% mortgage where lenders scrutinise affordability closely).
• Faster application approval
• More choice of mortgage products

Moving timeline for credit-prep

• 6+ months before moving: Check your credit report with all three credit agencies and fix any errors.
• 3-6 months before: Register on the electoral roll at your current address, and avoid making new credit applications.
• 1-3 months before: Get up-to-date copies of your credit reports to share with mortgage brokers.
• During the move: Avoid applying for any new credit until after completion.

Your credit report is free to check, takes 10 minutes to review, and could save you thousands in better mortgage rates. In the stressful world of moving house, it’s one thing you can actually control.

Once your credit is in order, the next step is choosing the right conveyancer or solicitor.

Ready to take charge of your move? Check your credit reports today — your future self (and your mortgage advisor) will thank you.

👉 Get started now:

• Experian: Free credit report

• Equifax: Free credit report

• TransUnion: Free credit report