Credit Troubles...

No, I don't have poor credit, I just seem to have trouble obtaining it.

I and a US Citizen with ILR now, and me and my partner have managed to get a mortgage, and I have solely managed to get a Barclaycard Platinum (£2500 limit @ 0%) and a Nationwide Credit Card (£1800 limit @ 8.9%), however I was declined a joint loan at our own bank!

I have checked my credit history and its good, so a bit confused!  Has anyone else come to this problem before?

I know I am not on the electoral roll, and I know I can't be.

Any advice would be great!

You could write to the bank, asking them in writing to clarify their loans policy and why you were refused.

You could both request a credit report for you and your husband to correct any errors that may be on your report (linked to the wrong people, for example).

Experian
http://experian.co.uk/

Equifax   
http://www.equifax.co.uk/

You could also both ask for your personal records at the bank under data protection to see if the information held is correct. As a last resort, contact the financial ombudsman.
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

After this, try another bank? Credit Unions seem to be a financially sound place for small loans.

Contact your local authority to see if a you can have a special notation made on the electoral roll about your status?

Hope that helps.   

Thanks,

We have viewed our credit records and all is good so not exactly sure what the problem is.

Have you checked all the main credit agencies? Have you tried the other suggestions?

The only one I have checked is Experian.

I spoke to my local council, and they said they cannot put my on the electoral roll in any way, and just referred me back to the credit agencies.

I will try ringing/writing to the credit agencies and see what happens.

Call Credit's the other one:
http://www.callcredit.co.uk/

Some information about credit and how to improve credit rating:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score#universal

See especially: 'Not eligible to vote in the UK? Add proof of residency
If you aren't eligible to vote in the UK so can't be on the electoral roll (mainly foreign nationals), send all three credit reference agencies proof of residency (utility bills, a UK driving licence, etc) and ask them to add a note to verify this, but this should help you get credit.'

Hi,

Some good aspects mentioned above. You can ask your bank as to why you've been refused the loan. From your mention of it above, could it be perhaps you asked for too much for instance?!

Also, a 'good' rating on the Credit Reference agencies might not have been good enough for the bank to have lent to you, the amount you wanted and the level of available credit you do have.

Once you know a bit more from your bank, it might help.

Getting credit, loans etc is much harder nowadays after the 'good ole days' when money was being thrown around like confetti. Things have recently got a 'bit' better for sure, however, Christmas just gone and there's been an alarming spike in UK households putting their christmas shopping on their credit cards - to the extent, it's been the largest month of borrowing for personal debt in a number of years now. It's just possible that lenders aren't interested in lending as much currently...

Good luck !

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!