Name on Electoral Register to establish credit?

Was I supposed to put my name on the Electoral Register to help me to establish credit in the UK? Or was it... The Electoral Roll? Same thing, right?

Is that not right? I thought I was advised to do that... Add my name to it. But I seem to have misunderstood the advice I was given...

We added my name, and we added my nationality, and I totally know I can't vote... So, they sent me a very polite letter that basically said "Are you dumb? You are an American."

I'm totally using it as part of my 'proof of address' mail for ILR!!! LOL!

     

What was I supposed to add my name to in order to help me to establish credit here?

The best way to do it is to contact all the major credit referencing agencies and ask them to put a note on your credit report that you live in the UK with an appropriate visa, but are not a UK citizen and therefore, not eligible to be on the electoral roll.

That should, in theory, alleviate some issues with obtaining credit.

Aquila - Thank you, that must have been what it was! xoxoxox

Broken record, I say this all the time, but its worth mentioning -- I was told that when you put a note on your credit report, no matter what it is, it means that you will not be eligible for instant credit approval.  It will always take extra time to look into what the note says. Maybe this is important to you, maybe it isnt, but I decided not to do it and have had no trouble getting credit (and instant approvals).

Oh, thank you mirrajay!

Hmmm... I don't get any approvals now.

So, I guess even a 'delayed approval' would be an improvement... 

But, good to know - very helpful - thank you very much!

You have saved me some future confusion!

Broken record, I say this all the time, but its worth mentioning -- I was told that when you put a note on your credit report, no matter what it is, it means that you will not be eligible for instant credit approval.  It will always take extra time to look into what the note says. Maybe this is important to you, maybe it isnt, but I decided not to do it and have had no trouble getting credit (and instant approvals).

If you could tell us where you got a credit card from them as DW is always rejected

If you could tell us where you got a credit card from them as DW is always rejected

I transferred my US AmEx account into a UK one with little trouble (had to get a solicitor's copy of my passport, but that's about it).

After about a year with them, Lloyds TSB offered me a credit card as well.

And this week (after holding those 2 credit cards for about 18 months, and getting rejections on other credit cards geared towards people with no/bad credit), I got a pre-approval offer from Barclaycard on one of the credit cards geared towards people with no/bad credit. I must be moving up in the world. I'm hoping in a couple of months once I hit the magic 3-years-residency (which seems required for things like mobile phone contracts with discounted phones), that'll help boost my credit as well.

I got a credit card from my bank with no trouble after a year or so.

I must be quite lucky, I got a credit card with RBS not very long after I moved here 5 years ago. I also managed to get a personal loan five years ago as well (they approved, then denied me, but it was because I wanted a longer term past my visa expiry date-  but re-approved after I changed to a shorter term). 
I didn't do anything special with my credit rating or electoral role notes or anything.  Maybe banks were still throwing money around 5 years ago and not caring.   So as always, mileage varies!!!!

I guess I'm another lucky one.  I got two bank credit cards within the first 2 years of living here.  I didn't even ask for them.  I was offered them when I first opened my Natwest current account and again when I opened my HSBC account.  I also easily got a monthly account with 3 for my mobile, something a lot of people have said was hard to do.  I'm still not on the Electoral Register and never place a note on my report.

I'm the same with lisapower.  I've only been here since July and based on what I knew about credit here, I thought I would never qualify for a monthly contract.  I gave it a shot with 3 after talking with the rep and was approved for a discounted iPhone and a monthly contract...no deposit required either.  I was shocked, but happy.  That was me, though.  Someone else may not find the same thing.

Haven't tried the credit card applications yet...not sure I want to, really.

If you could tell us where you got a credit card from them as DW is always rejected

Barclays - I have a basic credit card and was approved for a rather large loan (although I didn't take it all).  I also have a store credit card for a women's clothing retailer.