Applying for a Loan in Today
Although it’s important to research the loan market thoroughly make sure you don’t make multiple full scale applications at this time. Each loan you apply for will cause a record to be placed on your credit report and this can appear to a new lender that other lenders have been turning you down. This can very easily influence the decision of the new lender and you could find yourself turned down for no other reason than those multiple applications on your file.
Therefore the best policy is to look for loan agreements in principle without allowing a full credit search, and only make one real application when you have decided which is best for you. If you are ever refused credit, don’t apply again until you have found out why this has happened. Now is the time to check your credit record. You should ask the lender why they have turned you down. Lenders are not legally obliged to tell applicants why they have been turned down but most will.
What lenders look out for. Lenders need to know you can handle credit therefore if you have never borrowed money before you may not be offered the best rate. You may believe you are a worthy customer deserving of the best loan but you can’t seem to get it simply because you have no track record.
It’s a good idea to get a credit card and run it for a while responsibly for a while and also a mobile phone. Once you establish some track record the best rate loans may come within reach.
Make sure you are not overstretched. Lenders always look at your credit file to see how much you have outstanding on credit cards, mortgages and loans. They can easily see how you are handling payments. They will also look at your credit limits. Even if you are not currently borrowing on all your credit cards a lender could possibly get nervous about lending you more if he fears you might go on a spending spree. It’s probably better therefore to close credit card accounts that you don’t need.
Always explain any deficiencies in your credit file. If you have negative entries in your credit file and maybe are having a bad patch financially then it might be better to take some good advice rather than just go out and borrow more money. Missed repayments on your file will remain there for 3 years whilst any bankruptcies, Court Judgements or IVAs will always stay on record for at least 6 years.
If your problems were due to special circumstances then explain why – for example, if you suffered an illness that affected your income you can simply add a note to your credit report. Most Lenders may take this into account when considering you.
If you are having trouble getting a loan make sure you stay away from companies who say they can repair your credit record. Unless a serious mistake has been made on your file this is not possible and if a serious mistake has been made then you can easily repair this yourself. Never fall into the trap of paying for credit repair or debt advice which means rescheduling debts.
There is usually a good reason for credit being refused to you. If you are struggling financially then the wisest step is first of all to review your spending. A good mover could be to consult with a debt councilling service.
One very simple and quick way to improve your credit rating is to register on the electoral roll if you aren’t on it already. Credit reference agency Experian tells us that lenders use the electoral roll as a precaution against fraud, to help check that you are who you say who you are and live where you claim to live. If you are registered at a different address to the one on the application form, or don’t appear on the electoral roll at all, they may ask for proof of residence or could simply turn you down.
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