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From getting approved for a credit card to renting a flat, your credit score can open doors or quietly close them.
The good news is that credit scores aren’t fixed, so with the right habits and a little consistency, your score can improve faster than you think.
Here are seven easy ways to raise your credit score in 2026 to help you take back control of your financial future, one smart step at a time.
1. Dispute any incorrect data on your credit report
Pay attention to things like incorrect personal information, mixed up files, incorrect account statuses, duplicate accounts and unknown debts on your credit report.
,One The first thing everyone should do is sign up to a credit reporting service and check that all the data there is correct,” advises Alistair Douglas, CEO. absolutely money“If any data in your report is incorrect, you can dispute or correct it,
“Errors are very common because a lot of the data collection platforms are very old, and where the data comes from is often quite poor, so a lot of people find errors when they check their credit reports for the first time.”
2. Ask for any prior financial links to be removed
“If you have an ex-partner who has debt and has a bad financial history, make sure you are no longer financially connected to them as this can impact your credit score,” says Douglas. “If you are no longer living with them and there is no longer a link, you can dispute and get that information corrected on your credit report.”
3. Try to pay credit cards and personal loans on time
“The classic things to make sure you pay on time are your credit cards and your personal loans, as this will have an instant impact on your credit score,” says Douglas.
4. Register for Voter List
“Make sure you’re on the electoral roll, as this can help boost your credit rating,” recommends Douglas. “The more data you have on your credit report the better. This is because it gives the lender more assurance that you are a real person and not a risk of fraud.”
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5. Make sure your name is on every bill
“Make sure your name is on all the bills,” advises Douglas. “Most utility providers and council tax providers will allow everyone living at a particular address to be named on the bill, so make sure your name is on every bill. That way, as long as you’re paying bills on time, it will come back on your credit report and can help improve your credit score.”
6. Consider a Credit Builder Card
“If you have a bad score, consider a credit builder card,” Douglas suggests. “These usually come with low limits and high interest rates. Therefore, it is important to use them wisely – use them for your regular purchases and pay off your balance in full every month. This way, you will show credit reference agencies and banks that you are good at borrowing money.
“After some time, you should see your score increase, and with it, more offers for more competitive products.”
7. Get your rent identified on your credit report
,home ownership For many people this is a top financial goal, but a big problem is that as rent is typically one’s largest monthly expense, it is not traditionally recognized by banks as a sign of good financial management,” says Douglas.
“However, there are some companies that will report your rent payments to credit reference agencies, meaning you can build up your score and unlock the best mortgage offers when it comes to buying your first home.”
How long does it take to improve credit score?
“This will vary on an individual basis, but if you’re demonstrating good behaviors, you can usually find slight improvement very quickly, within a few months,” says Douglas. “After a year, it is very possible to make substantial progress, such as going from very poor to average.
“In addition, negative information such as CCJs (County Court Judgments) against you will be deleted after six years from the date of the incident, so will ultimately be erased from your credit report.”