How to Improve Your Credit Score

• ✓Register on the electoral roll, even if you don't vote. It helps lenders confirm who and where you are, and it's a quick win.
• ✓Pay on time, always. Set up direct debits for at least the minimum on every credit account so a missed payment can't sneak up on you.
• ✓Lower your credit utilisation. If you regularly use most of your credit limit, try to bring it down; using a smaller share of what's available looks more responsible.
• ✓Don't miss or default, a single default or County Court Judgment can outweigh months of good behaviour and stays on your report for six years.

• ✓Keep older, well-managed accounts open, a longer credit history generally helps, so don't close your oldest card without a reason
• ✓Build a track record if you're new to credit, a credit-builder card used for small purchases and paid off in full each month is a common route, but only if you'll clear it
• ✓Space out applications, every credit application leaves a 'hard search'; several in a short time can look like you're desperate for credit
• ✓Use eligibility checkers, many lenders offer a 'soft search' that shows your chances without affecting your score, use these before applying

Sometimes the problem isn't your behaviour, it's your report:

• ✓Check your credit report for errors, an account that isn't yours, a wrong address, or a payment marked late that wasn't, all drag your score down
• ✓Dispute mistakes with the lender or the credit reference agency, they must investigate and correct genuine errors
• ✓Check your financial associations, if you're linked to an ex-partner or former housemate with poor credit, ask for a 'notice of disassociation' once your finances are separate
• ✓Add a 'notice of correction' to explain a black mark that had a genuine reason (such as illness or job loss), lenders will see it

See our guide to your credit report for how to check all three agencies free and correct mistakes.

• ✓Avoid lots of credit applications when you're trying to improve, the hard searches work against you
• ✓Don't take on credit you don't need just to 'build history', responsible use of what you have is enough
• ✓If you're actually struggling to keep up, improving your score is the wrong priority, get free debt help first (see below)

If you're missing payments because you can't afford them, focus on the debt, not the score. Free, independent help is available from services like StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice, and you should never pay for debt advice. See our guides on dealing with debt, priority debts and Breathing Space. Sorting out the debt is also what repairs your credit in the long run.