Credit and the electoral roll

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

I don't think the explanation is that simple. Getting a bank account (and the subsequent credit card) as an American was also no small task. Both types of institution, banks and retail stores, have established procedures that make sense for British citizens but not really for foreigners.

If it makes you feel any better, I have a friend who was turned down for a Top man card! That was about 5 years ago and everyone is still pulling his leg about it.

A lot of it seems to have to do with how long you've lived here (i.e. how many years' worth of addresses you can provide). I got a credit card after a year of having a bank account, but it took me 3 years to get much more than that (including a contract mobile). But once that ball starts rolling it's absurdly easy. I've got more credit and store cards than I should be allowed to have now!!!

We were looking into getting a sofa once and tried to do one of those buy now pay later deals but we had only been in the country about a year.  They said 3 years worth of UK addresses were required or they couldn't do the deal with us!

I seem to remember a couple years ago getting something in the post asking about people who are eligible to vote in the household - I think it was from the council to see who could vote and I assumed it had to do directly with the electoral roll.  If memory serves me correctly, it had a section for people living there but not eligible to vote.  Perhaps they put householders on the roll even if they can't vote and specify that they are non-voting householders??  Just my guess.

No, the voting form does not have anywhere to list those non eligible.  At our old house, I filled in the form with my details only and they came round and asked who else lived there.  I explained my husband is American and they were satisfied with that and didn't ask his name or anything.

I asked to be added to the electoral roll and was refused. There is no category for people who are not eligible to vote, according to my borough. 

I was refused as well because I cannot vote (yet).  Unless you are UK, EU or Commenwealth there is no way to get on the electoral role, though it is good to hear this "holy grail" still doesn't provide you with much anyways.

Perhaps it was the Council Tax register, which does require the names of those who are living in the property, but not eligible to vote or pay?

Vicky

I am actually surprised you managed to get a credit card!  I have been here for just over 3 years , have ILR, and I still can't get a credit card.  We have lived in the same place for all of this time and have a joint bank account.  The bank gave us a credit card but only with dh has primary account holder and me as a cardholder. I am no where on the credit card account other than just as a secondary card holder!  I wasn't even able to take out a mobile phone contract until about 3 months ago!  I have been wanting to build up my own credit and we have recently tried to geta credit card in my name but I keep getting refused.  Dh says he doesn't want to try too many times because they keep track of how many times and cards you apply for.  I would love to be able to get a credit card in my name!

I don't think the explanation is that simple. Getting a bank account (and the subsequent credit card) as an American was also no small task. Both types of institution, banks and retail stores, have established procedures that make sense for British citizens but not really for foreigners.

But it is part of it.  Interest rates are determined by the perceived risk to the provider. They can deal with a customer who they perceive to be high risk, by

1. Charging a very high interest rate
2. Not granting credit at all

I suppose your immigration status and how long you've lived here has an impact on your perceived risk, in conjunction with other things like steady employment.

I guess the experience depends on the individual. I got my own bank account in about a year. (That's when I applied for one; I don't know if I could have got one sooner.) I got my own credit card after being here for less than 2 years. (Once again, I got it as soon as I applied; I don't know if I could have got one earlier.)

But it is part of it.  Interest rates are determined by the perceived risk to the provider. They can deal with a customer who they perceive to be high risk, by

1. Charging a very high interest rate
2. Not granting credit at all

I suppose your immigration status and how long you've lived here has an impact on your perceived risk, in conjunction with other things like steady employment.

I guess the experience depends on the individual. I got my own bank account in about a year. (That's when I applied for one; I don't know if I could have got one sooner.) I got my own credit card after being here for less than 2 years. (Once again, I got it as soon as I applied; I don't know if I could have got one earlier.)

I appreciate your point, but the point I'm making is that they are not doing a very good or fair job of judging risk if the electoral roll is the criterion. I could be here for 7 years, pay all my utility bills and credit cards faithfully, but I would still not be on the electoral roll.

My bank told  us that we had to have our bank account at our bank for 2 years continuously before we can get a credit card.  It should take no longer than three years to get credit.

My bank told  us that we had to have our bank account at our bank for 2 years continuously before we can get a credit card.  It should take no longer than three years to get credit.

But do you think a joint account makes any difference than each partner having one?  I just wonder if this is why I haven't got any credit.  Maybe I should have opened my own.

Perhaps you all missed my informative post further up about not being on the electoral roll not meaning automatic decline for credit.  It's all up to the individual lender, but decent lenders would ask for further information to verify your identity if you're not on the electoral roll rather than flat-out decline you.

Most lenders have an appeals process, and if you're declined credit, write to them enclosing documents to verify your identity (certified photocopy of passport and recent utility bill) and your income/ability to make repayments (3 months bank statements or payslips).
They rarely volunteer this information (because it's more paperwork for them if you appeal) but if you supply the correct information and it checks out, your credit could be approved.  Regardless, they should write back to you with a decision.

This isn't just a "why not try this" suggestion, this is from someone who worked in underwriting at a credit card company.  If a financial institution is a member of the FSA (pretty much all of them) then they must be fair and equitable in their lending policies - refer them to the Banking Code if you feel this is not the case.

Most lenders have an appeals process, and if you're declined credit, write to them enclosing documents to verify your identity (certified photocopy of passport and recent utility bill) and your income/ability to make repayments (3 months bank statements or payslips).

Thanks, elyl - that's very helpful.