We all know what should happen and with some firms we know what script they should stick to however, this isn't a perfect world. I hope no-one is naieve enough to think that all these firms follow the guidelines. They are in mainly unregulated industries and they go on what their employers guidelines are. Unfortunately in many cases the new guidelines are not observed and the old ones are still used. That is why we should all make more use of the Data Protection Registrar, he's there to see fair play. If more of us used him then, that would force greater acceptance and more importantly use of these new rules.

It is true that previously, the majority of credit checks took place solely on address details. However, due to unfair blacklisting, this practice was abolished for the most part.

Now, the credit check must take into account the full name of the individual.

George_brosnan:

As a rule yes, if someone living in a house has a poor credit rating, then it WILL always affect everybody else in the house.

"As a rule" I DON'T believe that to be be the case any longer (though it might have been common previously).

Forgot to say You need to contact the people who sent you the phone and request activation.

Hi Conor,

As a rule yes, if someone living in a house has a poor credit rating, then it WILL always affect everybody else in the house. This always happens especially in flats as when the firms carry out the credit check, it’s on the address not the person. Therefore, if previous residents have had bad credit ratings, it will affect everyone else in the whole block. Don’t despair though, as with all things there is a way around it, which I will explain later.

However, what you are saying doesn’t seem right because, the phone companies, (shop or postal ones) always carry out a credit check on the person buying the phone there and then BEFORE shipping the phone to you. Therefore, as you have the phone, I cant really see why you should think your rating has been affected.

If as I guess you went through a postal firm or you would have had your phone directly from the shop. They always send the phones out NOT activated, in case it goes to the wrong address and prevents someone else from running up a large bill in your name. Any refusals on your house mates account AFTER you got your phone would not affect you.

You say that she contacted Experian and they told her that your rating wasn’t very good. I doubt this because, under the Data Protection Act 1988, they would not have given her any details about you what-so-ever.

If you do have a poor credit rating, it will always catch up with you.

For those of you who have a good credit rating but live in houses or flats and are either affected by the previous occupants or those living with you, then here’s what you do to help yourself with credit applications.

Contact the Data Protection Registrar (DPR) in Cheshire at the following address

Then write to him asking for a Notice of Disassociation from the person or persons that are blighting your application. What this means to you is that when a company does a credit check on your address – they will see all the adverse information, but as long as none of it has your name on it, they will ignore all the other named people – you will be clean and clear. So before writing to the DPR, get a print out from Experian, so that you can list all the names of the people who blight you, so the DPR can put all the names on the Disassociation list.

Thanks for the replies. I have a feeling my housemate isn't being totally honest with me and i was always under the impression that credit checks were carried out on the person rather than the household, and that the addresses were taken into account to verify back details/ CCJs etc?

conor82:

NO

Unless you share the same name, initial and/or DOB, or you have been personated.

If you have any concerns obtain your credit report and see if it has been searched (or that you are linked)

Debit payments are not declined for credit record reasons but for more obvious reasons.

I don't believe your comment about Experian was exactly as it happenned (unless you were personated)

I think some of it is done by the address, so even if yours is flawless this might affect it. contact experian though to be sure. also, if you are moving around a lot and into houses that may have been rented out a lot for short term lets, might be better to use your parents address for billing etc? just a thought

I recently got a mobile phone on contract, which was delivered today and hasn't been activated. In the two days since i ordered it my housemate has been declined debit payments when trying to make online purchases. She says she phoned experian, who said that because my credit isn't the best it appears everytime she has a credit check done and that it will have ill-effects on her credit rating for the next 5 years.

Im due to move house soon, so surely it will be as simple as changing my bank address and my mobile companies billing address? Or is this all pie in the sky? Help!