Car insurance and your credit score
Buying car insurance doesn't affect your score. Choosing to pay monthly does, because that's a credit agreement. And your existing score can shape the quote…
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What moves your score
Clear answers on the everyday decisions and financial events that can change your credit profile.
13
pieces of guidance
Council Tax and your credit score
Council Tax doesn't affect your credit score, in either direction. But it's a priority debt with severe consequences, and your council has powers no lender…
Gambling and your credit score
Gambling has no direct impact on your credit score. The indirect routes — cash advances, missed payments, rising utilisation, and forensic checks on a…
Holding multiple bank accounts and your score
Opening multiple bank accounts doesn't automatically harm your credit — but hard checks and heavy overdraft use can. Space out applications, manage…
Moving home and your credit score
Changing address doesn't directly affect your credit score. Missed bill payments and incorrect address details do. Keep your information current and accurate.
Overdrafts and your credit score
Having an overdraft doesn't affect your score. How you use it does. Clear the balance quickly and routinely and it can help; leave it unpaid and it won't.
Self-employment and your credit score
Being self-employed doesn't directly affect your credit score in the UK. Your score comes from your credit report — repayment history, searches, Electoral…
Student loans and your credit score
Your student loan won't affect your credit score and doesn't appear on your report. It does count against your affordability for a mortgage, and any other…
Switching banks and your credit score
Switching once might dip your score temporarily. Switching repeatedly over a few months does more lasting damage. If a mortgage or big loan is coming up,…
Universal Credit and your credit score
Universal Credit isn't credit, doesn't appear on your report, and lenders can't see it. Missed payments and rising credit use are what to watch.
Updating the Electoral Roll after you move
Updating your Electoral Roll details matters for voting and for credit checks. You can do it online or through your local council, and changes may take up…
Utility bills and your credit score
Most utility companies don't routinely report your payments, so paying on time may not help your score. Falling seriously behind, though, can absolutely…
Whether rent shows on your credit report
Rent payments don't usually appear on your credit report. A rent reporting service can add them — helpful if you pay reliably, risky if you might not.