How to Improve Your Credit Score, From Quick Wins to Significant Changes

Thinking about renting a home, getting car finance, applying mortgage or getting one Credit card?

If so, be prepared for lenders to take a closer look at you credit score,

This important score shows how well you’ve managed to borrow in the past, based on factors like your payment history and how much credit you use. a strong credit score Improves your chances of approval and can help you secure lower interest rates And better borrowing conditions.

Craig Tebbutt, financial health expert at Equifax UK, says: “Although everyone’s financial situation is different and patience will be your friend, there are steps to help start credit score improvements more quickly in the short term. A low score doesn’t have to be permanent and good habits pay off over time.”

So how does it work and how can you improve yours?

How is credit score calculated?

Many people assume they only have one credit score, but your score can vary between credit reference agencies (CRAs) and will change over time.

In the UK, the main agencies are experianEquifax and TransUnion. Each uses its own data and scoring system, with lenders also applying their own criteria when you apply for credit.

experian Overhauled your credit scoring In November 2025, its score range was increased from 0–999 to 0–1,250.

The company said the new system reflects more “everyday financial behaviour” such as paying rent or reducing overdraft use. Elsewhere Equifax scores range from 0 to 1,000, and TransUnion’s from 0 to 710.

Quick Credit Score Wins

To improve your score, make sure you are registered to vote. Being on the electoral roll at your current address is one of the most important and easiest ways to build your credit score, as it helps lenders verify your identity – and it doesn’t cost anything.

Next, check your credit report with all three CRAs and correct any errors. Mistakes can include incorrect addresses, accounts that don’t belong to you or missed payments entered incorrectly.

You should also check what your financial partners are called. There is a common misconception that simply living with someone can permanently link your credit score to their credit score – but this is not the case.

“A link is only created if you have shared financial products on record, such as a joint bank account, mortgage, loan or utility bill,” explains Vic Layton, consumer expert at ThinkMoney.

To separate from someone, close all joint accounts and ensure that shared bills are either settled or completely transferred to one person’s name. Once there are no active joint financial commitments, you can ask the CRA to remove the association through a free financial separation request.

Create payment history

If you’re new to credit or the UK, focus on building a payment history by using one or two small credit products and paying them off on time.

If you’re having difficulty getting any credit, there are products designed to help you, including credit-building credit cards or CreditSpring loans. With these deals, it is important to make payments on time to increase your score.

A monthly mobile phone contract can also help. Just be aware that missed payments can hurt your score, so only take out a contract you can afford.

If you’re renting, Experian’s new system will cover rent payments for tenants who join it.

In order for your rent payments to appear on Equifax or TransUnion, you or your landlord must opt-in to a rent reporting service like CreditLadder.

improve your score

If you have a bad credit score Due to past missed paymentsImproving your score means consistently making payments on time.

This includes both utility bills and loan payments.

“It’s also important to understand that credit files are not a permanent record of past mistakes,” says Leighton.

“Most negative markers, such as defaults or missed payments, leave your file after six years. This means the recovery process has a clear horizon. Each month of good behavior cancels out the impact of what came before.”

How to get your score even higher?

Think about your credit utilization: it is How You use your available credit.

The key is to keep the proportion of available credit you use under about 30%. so if you have credit card Given the £1,000 limit, you should only borrow around £300 at a time.

If you need to apply for credit, get your applications in order. Too many credit applications in a short period of time generates many ‘hard’ searches and can have a negative impact on your score. Consider keeping old accounts open, as lenders like to see stability.

“In the long run, many lenders like to see a mix of different credit types on your credit report, such as credit cards and loans,” says Tebbutt. “Consider a monthly phone contract or utility bill that you pay each month and most importantly, make sure you pay any bills on time.”

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