Six things that ruin your credit rating

Being in debt and having a less than perfect credit rating often go hand in hand. And we’re sure you really don’t want to read this but everyone should know. So here goes.

• CCJ’s – Needless to say, if you can avoid them do.
• Missing a mortgage or credit card payment – Don’t miss them and the credit agencies can’t hold it against you.
• Never having borrowed before -  If you have no credit history there is no record of how you behave with other people’s money. So do use finance, but borrow what you can afford to pay back, use credit cards as credit cards and not loans and manage money and debt responsibly.
• Not being on the electoral role – even if you don’t plan on voting, get on the role! Getting you details wrong – make sure your personal details especially address and age is consistent and correct.
• If you get turned down - If you get turned down for a loan, credit card or other form of finance, don’t keep applying to other companies, get your credit file from companies like Equifax and Experian and find out why. Lots of declined applications will hurt your credit rating.