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It’s still possible to get broadband if you’ve got a bad credit history. Broadband credit checks are not as strict as applying for something like a loan or credit card, so you have a better chance of being accepted.
In fact, some broadband providers won’t check your credit rating at all.
So that means if you’ve got bad credit, County Court Judgements, bankruptcy, or any other red flags in your financial history, you can still get – or switch – broadband.
Plusnet and NOW Broadband don’t carry out credit checks. So, if you've got bad credit and want home broadband, they’re a good bet.
TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Sky and BT all check your credit rating before accepting you as a customer and will likely all use different rating criteria.
Remember these checks aren’t as stringent as the checks you’d have to pass to get a loan, mortgage or credit card. So even if you have got bad credit, it doesn't necessarily mean you won’t be accepted.
If you’re in receipt of certain benefits, including Universal Credit, you may also qualify for broadband social tariffs – most of which do not require a credit check.
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There are three simple steps to compare broadband deals and switch providers
Ensure you're no longer within the minimum terms of the contract length with your current broadband provider. You can find out by looking at your original contract, confirmation email, or by contacting their customer service.
We algorithmically sort broadband packages based on your location, the speed you'd get, and how much it costs.
Your new provider should contact your current provider and arrange the switch for you. And you'll receive letters and emails updating you on this.
Not sure if no credit check broadband is right for you? Below we weigh up everything that's good and bad about a no credit check broadband to help you decide.
You’ll get the same service as any other customer, including unlimited broadband plans, TV and broadband and broadband and phone bundles
Great option for people on a low income
A 30-day mobile broadband deal never requires you to pass a credit check and you're not tied to a contract
If you opt for mobile broadband to avoid a credit check, you'll pay more than you would for fixed line broadband, and it's usually a lot slower
There's less choice available over provider and package
You may not be able to get the fastest speeds available
If you’re on Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other certain benefits, you can sign up for low income broadband or a social tariff.
These are available from the likes of BT, TalkTalk, Hyperoptic, Virgin Media, Community Fibre, NOW, Sky, and more, and offer decent, often fibre optic speeds at affordable prices. You’ll need to give your benefit details when signing up, but the process is straightforward.
It may prove trickier to get a broadband and TV package with bad credit, as larger providers that offer TV bundles, such as Sky, Virgin and BT, all carry out credit checks.
Whether you can get a deal largely depends on your personal financial history, so it may be worth speaking directly with providers to see if you are eligible.
If it’s a no-go, rest assured that you won’t be held back from signing up to pay-monthly streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or NOW Memberships. All you’ll need is a smart TV or plug-in device (such as an Apple TV) with the right app.
Whether you're looking for cheap and cheerful or high-spec full fibre broadband, everyone's needs are different. Finding the best deal for you starts with understanding how you plan to use it or if bundling your services lower your monthly bill.
If you're still in your minimum term, you'd be subject to an early repayment charge if you ended your contract early.
If you're out of contract or approaching the end, you can switch without penality.
A tariff may offer everything you're looking for, but does it come to the right monthly price and offer good value for money? Shop around to find the right tariff at the best possible price.
Many providers offer tempting incentives, such as cashback or gift cards to new customers. These may help bring down the cost of an expensive broadband deal, although you should also consider whether these gifts are as important as factors such as speed and cost.
Use our postcode checker to filter what's available in your local area
To compare broadband deals, we'll need your postcode.
Broadband deals with no credit check and no upfront cost are available but look out for waived setup fees being recouped elsewhere, through higher monthly costs or a longer contract.
Pay close attention to the small print of your plan to determine whether it really is the standout deal it appears to be.
Because broadband providers don’t do as stringent credit checks as other financial services, it’s possible to get top speeds with a poor credit rating.
NOW Broadband and Plusnet both offer fibre broadband, although NOW only offers fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) which uses copper to complete the journey into the home. With speeds up to 63Mbps though, most customers will be more than satisfied. Plusnet, which doesn’t check credit ratings, offers top end fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband, but this is only available in select areas.
Use our postcode checker to see if you can get it where you live.
Mobile broadband, available via a dongle, MiFi, or home router, offers an easier alternative for those with bad credit, as it’s possible to pick one up on a 30 day rolling contract without a credit check. There’s also the option of using your smartphone and tethering it so you can utilise its 4G or 5G connection to get online in the home. Click here for more information on mobile dongle deals
The issue here is that mobile speeds are rarely as good as the best fibre broadband, even if 5G is catching up, and generally not as reliable. Throw in higher costs for more mobile data and the fact that streaming and gaming can struggle over a mobile connection, and you may want to explore your options with a provider that doesn’t check credit.
If you have a bad credit rating or you don’t have a credit history because you’ve never borrowed before, you might not qualify for the very best credit card deals. However, some credit cards are designed specifically for those who need to build up their credit score. Just be aware they often come with low credit limits and high interest rates.
However, if you use this type of card sensibly and always pay off your balance in full, you can improve your credit score so you’ll eventually be eligible for better credit cards.
For your credit check, you will need to provide:
Full name
Date of birth
Email address
Electoral roll informationto confirm your current and previous addresses
All loans, creditcard and mortgage accounts that are open, their start date and loan amounts
You can also use our free credit score checker.
Plusnet and NOW Broadband don't carry out credit checks, they're your best chance if you’ve got bad credit.
TalkTalk is the household-name broadband provider that’s most likely to accept customers with bad credit. BT and Virgin Media will usually ask you for a deposit which they can use to pay your bills if you are unable to do so.
Sky, Virgin, and BT all carry out credit checks. BT and Virgin often ask for a deposit so you can cover the cost of bills if you miss a payment. It may be best to try and improve your credit score before you look into a deal with these providers, as they may not be willing to give a costly TV package to anyone with a history of late or missed payments.