Registering to vote could give your credit score a significant boost, according to Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert (MSE) team. In their latest guidance, they urge anyone not on the electoral roll to sign up immediately, warning it could otherwise be much harder to get accepted for credit.
The process takes around five minutes and can be done via the official Gov.uk website. You will need your National Insurance number. Eligibility varies: in England and Northern Ireland you must be aged 16 or over, while in Scotland and Wales the minimum age is 14. MSE advises not to wait for annual reminders or elections.
For those not eligible to vote in the UK, MSE recommends adding a 'notice of correction' to your credit file with all three credit reference agencies. This note confirms you have proof of residency, such as a utility bill or UK driving licence, which lenders can request when reviewing applications. Equifax suggests wording such as: 'I, (full name), with date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy) am not on electoral register at my present address, because I'm not a British citizen...'
MSE notes that credit reference agencies use the full electoral register, which by law must include you, and that lenders use it to verify address and identity. Even if your credit score appears perfect, failing to register can still cause problems because lenders need to confirm who you are.
