Will my US credit report...

...really do me no good in the UK?

we're ready to start looking into buying a house, and i'm worried because i really have no UK credit history, other than my bank account. 

I have excellent credit in the US and tried to use that when we bought a flat.  It was a LONG and tedious procedure. The result?? It didn't work.

Most likely your husband will be the only one allowed on the mortgage for a couple of years, which then he'll have to pay £ to add you on.

Your best bet is to talk to a mortgage broker. I've only lived here for 10 months and my boyfriend (UKC) and I (USC) were able to get a mortgage. There were far fewer mortgage options available to us because of it, but we were still able to find one that suited us. The one thing they stressed was that my UK credit needed to be spotless. He recommended not to apply for any kind of credit (phone, card, etc) until we'd been approved for the mortgage since it could negatively affect my credit if I were to try and get denied.

Good luck.

So those of us who do not have a UK citizen as a co-applicant are basically out of luck??

It took two months for Barclay (the Woolwich) to give us an answer regarding whether or not I could get on the mortgage.  In the end, they wanted a lot of information (one years worth of payslips and bank statements (from USA), letters from previous employers (in USA), etc.. 

It was a complete pain in the ass and I don't even think my US credit came into play with it.  If you are looking to get a mortgage quickly, I wouldn't bother with it.

So those of us who do not have a UK citizen as a co-applicant are basically out of luck??

I don't think this is the case at all. I think it'll always vary on individual circumstances. I still think the best bet is to speak with a mortgage advisor. My bf and I didn't think we would qualify at all (he wasn't working, I'd only been here a few months) but we went in and spoke to someone on a whim. I know I've seen other dual US couples on here as well as single USC's who have been able to secure mortgages. Speaking to a mortgage advisor (not affiliated with a specific lender) is free and will give you an idea as to whether or not it is feasible based on your individual circumstances.

I was just thinking that because all of the experiences listed (only a few to be fair) all had a UK citizen along with the US citizen.  And it was STILL difficult because of the US person.  Sounds like it would thus be just as hard if not worse for 2 US citizens!  Don't even want to think about it but I might have to soon...

Part of it depends on your current employment situation in the UK.  If you have a nice contract in the UK that demonstrates that you can afford the mortgage, the advice that I have gotten is that where there is a will there is a way, but the bottom line is, your US credit doesn't count.

While I do have a UK partner, we have been given advice that it will work out, though we will have to probally shop around a lot.  I have a US expat friend who was by herself that landed a 350K mortgage by herself about 4-5 years ago.  She was here on a work permit none the less and had a decent downpayment, but she was able to work it out.

thanks, guys.

i'll be sure to keep you posted once we start looking in earnest, just for anyone else's future reference.

I have a good friend at work who has been here around 4 years and has gotten a mortgage on her own...it's doable, though I think easier if you have a nice bit put aside for a downpayment.