What affects your credit score in the UK?

Your credit score is calculated from the data in your credit report. Understanding which factors carry the most weight helps you focus your efforts on what will make the biggest difference.

Factors that help your credit score

• Payment history: consistently paying on time is the single most important positive factor. Even two or three months of on-time payments after a period of missed payments begins to rebuild the score.
• Electoral roll registration: being registered at your current address is a strong identity and stability signal.
• Long credit history: having credit accounts that have been open for years (and managed well) demonstrates sustained creditworthiness.
• Low credit utilisation: using a small percentage of available revolving credit (ideally under 30%) signals financial control.
• Mix of credit types: having a mix of credit products (credit card, loan) that are all managed well can be positive.
• Stable address history: living at the same address for several years is a positive stability signal.

Factors that hurt your credit score

• Missed or late payments: the most damaging factor. Even one missed payment can significantly reduce your score.
• Defaults: a formal default recorded when an account is closed due to non-payment. Stays for six years.
• County Court Judgements (CCJs): serious negative entries that remain for six years.
• Insolvency: bankruptcy, IVAs and Debt Relief Orders are significant negative entries.
• High credit utilisation: using more than 50-75% of your available credit limit is a risk signal.
• Multiple hard searches: several applications in a short period suggest financial pressure.
• Incorrect or fraudulent information: errors on your report can unfairly suppress your score.

Factors that do NOT affect your credit score

• Your income or savings
• Your partner's credit history (unless you have joint financial products)
• Checking your own credit report (soft search)
• Previous occupants of your address
• Your political views, race, religion or any protected characteristic

How long negative information stays on your report

Most negative information — missed payments, defaults, CCJs — remains on your credit file for six years from the date it was recorded. After six years it drops off automatically. Bankruptcy stays for six years from the date of discharge.