Credit & Borrowing
Is Car Finance Halal?
Is PCP or HP halal? Why conventional car finance is treated as riba, how Murabaha and Ijara alternatives work, and what to check before signing with a provider that calls itself Sharia-compliant.
Topic
Credit & Borrowing
Credit scores, reports and borrowing, how they work and how to improve yours.
MortgagesBuying & SellingMoney & FinanceCredit & BorrowingInsurance & ProtectionEquity Release & Later LifeInvestingBusiness & CommercialReviewsHome & LifestyleNews
Credit & Borrowing
Am I Still Financially Linked to My Ex?
A financial association means their credit history is considered alongside yours. Here's how to check if you're still linked, and how to break it properly.
Credit & Borrowing
Am I on the Electoral Register? How to Check
There's no national lookup — you check with your council, or read it straight off your credit report, which is what lenders see. Here's how, and why it affects your credit.
Credit & Borrowing
How Do I Know if Someone Has Credit-Checked Me?
Every credit search is recorded on your report. Here's how to see who checked you, the difference between hard and soft searches, and what an unfamiliar one means.
Credit & Borrowing
How Do I Check if I Have a CCJ?
You can search the official Register of Judgments for a small fee, or see any CCJ on your credit report. Here's how to check, and what to do if you find one.
Credit & Borrowing
How to Check Your Credit Score for Free
You can check your credit score free, permanently — here are the genuinely free services for each agency, your statutory right to your file, and when paying for a multi-agency report is actually worth it.
Credit & Borrowing
How Do I Find Out What Accounts Are in My Name?
Your credit report lists the credit accounts open in your name. For forgotten savings and pensions there are free tracing services. Here's how to find everything.
Credit & Borrowing
How Do I Find My Previous Addresses?
Application forms want three years of address history. Your credit report lists the addresses linked to you with dates — here's that and the free alternatives.
Credit & Borrowing
Can I Settle Car Finance Early?
Can I settle car finance early? How to request a settlement figure, your rights under the Consumer Credit Act, and what an early settlement really costs.
Credit & Borrowing
Car Finance Explained: PCP, HP, Leasing and Loans
Car finance explained: how PCP, HP, PCH leasing and personal loans work, their pros and cons, and which type of car finance suits you best.
Credit & Borrowing
Car Finance With Bad Credit: What Are Your Options?
Car finance with bad credit: the options, how deposits and guarantors help, and how your credit file affects the rate you are offered on a car loan.
Credit & Borrowing
Does Car Finance Affect Your Mortgage?
Does car finance affect your mortgage? How monthly car finance commitments hit affordability and your credit file, and what lenders look for when you apply.
Money & Finance
Does Lloyds Have a Roll Number?
Asked for a Lloyds roll number? The form is expecting a building society, and there is a specific thing to put instead. Here is what stops it failing.
Credit & Borrowing
Is 0% Car Finance Worth It?
Is 0% car finance worth it? How interest-free deals work, the catches to watch for, and when a 0% offer genuinely saves you money on a new car.
Credit & Borrowing
PCP vs HP Car Finance: Which Is Right For You?
PCP vs HP car finance compared: ownership, monthly cost, the balloon payment, mileage limits and who each type of agreement really suits.
Credit & Borrowing
Voluntary Termination Of Car Finance Explained
Voluntary termination of car finance: your Consumer Credit Act right to hand a car back after paying 50%, how VT works, and its effect on your credit file.
Credit & Borrowing
What Is A Balloon Payment On Car Finance?
What is a balloon payment on car finance? Learn how the PCP final payment (guaranteed future value) is set and your three choices at the end of a deal.
Credit & Borrowing
Buy Now, Pay Later Explained
Buy now, pay later lets you spread the cost of purchases interest-free. Here's how BNPL works, its effect on your credit file, the risks and incoming rules.
Credit & Borrowing
CheckMyFile: See Exactly What Banks See
Consider the benefits of using CheckMyFile when searching for your credit score. Start with a 30 day free trial.
Credit & Borrowing
Checkmyfile vs. Experian
Checkmyfile shows all four credit agencies in one report; Experian covers just one with a score simulator. Compare features and cost to see which suits you.
Mortgages
Do Bridging Loans Affect Your Mortgage or Credit Score?
A bridging loan can affect a later mortgage application and may leave a mark on your credit file, though a clear exit limits the impact. See how lenders view them.
Mortgages
Do I Need a Credit Card to Get a Mortgage?
No, you don't need a credit card to get a mortgage, though some credit history helps. Two or more credit lines over about six months can strengthen your file.
Mortgages
Does a Phone Contract Affect How Much You Can Borrow?
Does having a phone contract affect how much you can borrow on a mortgage? find out what a difference it can make here and how to check the impact on you.
Credit & Borrowing
Does Klarna Affect Credit Score? Find Out The Truth
Have you been shopping recently and wondered, does klarna affect credit score? Discover here about responsible usage, missed payments, and alternatives to build credit.
Credit & Borrowing
Does Switching Banks Affect Your Credit Score?
Does switching current accounts affect your credit score? How the Current Account Switch Service works and when a hard or soft check applies.
Mortgages
I Don't Have A Utility Bill In My Name | First Time Buyers
"I don't have a utility bill in my name" is a common worry for mortgage applicants. This insight explains how to verify your address with your lender when you can't provide one.
Credit & Borrowing
Is There a Minimum Credit Score for a Mortgage?
There's no single magic number — each lender sets its own bar and weighs much more than your score. Here's what really decides approval, and how to boost your chances.
Credit & Borrowing
What Is The Lowest Credit Score Possible?
The lowest credit score possible is 0, marking you as high risk to lenders. Scales differ: Experian 0-999, Equifax 0-1,000. Here's what it means and how to rebuild.
Credit & Borrowing
Minimum Credit Score For Mobile Phone Contract
There's no fixed minimum credit score for a mobile phone contract, but a fair-to-good score usually passes. SIM-only and pay-as-you-go help if your score is low.
Mortgages
Mortgage With Less Than 3 Years In The UK
Obtaining a mortgage with less than 3 years in the UK is difficult, but not impossible. This insight explains all you need to know to get on the housing ladder as soon as possible.
Credit & Borrowing
New to the UK? How to Build a Credit Score From Scratch
One of the most important aspects to consider when being new to the UK is building your credit score. Here is how to build your credit score as an immigrant.
Mortgages
Using A Credit Card After Your Mortgage Offer
Learn how using a credit card after your mortgage offer can impact your application. Discover tips to manage your finances wisely and protect your mortgage approval.
Credit & Borrowing
What Is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order to repay a debt. Here's what a CCJ means for your credit and mortgage, and how to remove or satisfy one.
Credit & Borrowing
What is a Multi Agency Credit Report?
Relying on a single credit scoring website may not give a complete picture of your creditworthiness. That's where a multi-agency credit report comes in.
Credit & Borrowing
Why Is My Credit Score Different on Different Sites?
Stop pondering why is my credit score different on different sites and find out now. Understand the variations and make informed financial decisions on your credit.
Credit & Borrowing
5 Ways To Build Your Credit Score
Five ways to build your credit score: pay bills on time, use credit sensibly, join the electoral roll, check your report and consider a credit-builder card.