Credit and the electoral roll

Hi

I tried to buy a bed on credit from two different places (Fenwicks and Sleepmasters) and was told at both places that I couldn't due to my not being on the electoral roll. I'm a US citizen who's been living in the UK for 2.5 years and has been paying electric, water, phone and HSBC VISA bills during most of that time. But the electoral roll seems to trump everything. Anyone have advice on this issue?

thanks

ron

Since you have a credit card, can you not just pay the full amount with your credit card?

I don't know exactly how they do these credit checks but a couple of years ago when we had to go through a credit check for a house letting agency they said the same thing to me! And I was on the electoral roll!! I even had one of those cards they send out at voting time to prove it and they still said, nope you're not on the electoral roll.  I think it is more of an identity check than anything else, so they should accpet your passport as proof of id. Otherwise it sounds to me like blatant discrimination.

And you cannot get onto the electoral role until you are a permanent resident.  I checked into that.

And you cannot get onto the electoral role until you are a permanent resident.  I checked into that.

but..isn't the electoral roll the list of eligible voters?  Are ILR holders allowed to vote, then?

UK & and Commonwealth citizens can vote. ILR does not entitle you to vote.

UK, EU and Commonwealth citizens can vote. ILR does not entitle you to vote.

that's what I thought.  I'm still puzzling over how permanent residents can get on the electoral roll, then..hmm.

This discussion is making me think I should take advantage of being a dual Commonwealth citizen and get on the electoral roll at some point....

We're on the electoral roll and we've managed to get one car loan as well as credit to pay for DD's braces.  We've been here for almost 1.5 years.

We don't qualify for a credit card though.  WE need to be here for two years for that. 

I might be wrong... on the ILR Andrea...  I just know I checked online and at the local library and they just looked at me strange.  I may have to wait for my UKC before solving that problem.

We're on the electoral roll and we've managed to get one car loan as well as credit to pay for DD's braces.  We've been here for almost 1.5 years.

We don't qualify for a credit card though.  WE need to be here for two years for that. 

Yes but you're Canadian citizens, right? ie Commonwealth citizens. US citizens definitely cannot vote in the UK elections.

Editd to add link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/RightsAndResponsibilities/RightsAndResponsibilitiesArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10014442&chk=tW2II/

Yes but you're Canadian citizens, right? ie Commonwealth citizens. US citizens definitely cannot vote in the UK elections.

Yes, we are commonwealth citizens.  I'm glad my canadian citizenship is good for something LOL!!

Since you have a credit card, can you not just pay the full amount with your credit card?

The credit card involves 17% interest, whereas the stores are offering 0% interest for 12-20 months.

Yep, I have crap credit because not only am I not on the electoral roll, but the fact I have moved so many times does show up making me look like someone who may move to avoid debts. Grrrrrrr.

"Not on electoral roll" is a standard response from a credit reference agency computer and is one of the reason codes that Equifax or Experian will give to a client for why you are not credit-worthy.  This should not be a reason to flat-out decline credit for any credit-provider worth their salt - they should ask you directly for proof of your identity and address (copy of passport, utility bills etc).  I am referring to banks and financial institutions when I say "worth their salt" - a furniture store may have far more simplistic lending rules - you could appeal the decision directly with the credit-provider, send a photocopy of your passport, your last 3 months bank statements and a recent utility bill.  They may reconsider the decision, but they are by no means obliged to lend to you.

The credit card involves 17% interest, whereas the stores are offering 0% interest for 12-20 months.

Which would explain why you can get credit via the credit card, but not the furniture store.