How to find your credit score

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders look at more than just your income and deposit. Your credit report and the way it’s scored can influence how a lender views your overall borrowing risk.

Knowing how to find your credit score (and, just as importantly, your credit report) helps you understand what information is being considered before you submit an application.

Where to find your credit report

In the UK, credit reports are compiled by credit reference agencies (CRAs). The three main CRAs are:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

Each CRA holds information from across your credit history and uses it to produce a credit report. Because they may receive and process data slightly differently, the details you see can vary a little between agencies.

Getting your report for free

You can request a copy of your credit report from each CRA. In general, you can access it digitally, and you can also request it in another format where available.

Why checking all three can matter

Mortgage lenders may review information drawn from credit files, and they can also use their own internal scoring models. Checking all three reports can help you spot:

• accounts that appear on one file but not another
• differences in how addresses or personal details are recorded
• any entries that look inaccurate or incomplete

What information is in your credit report?

A credit report is essentially a record of how you’ve managed credit and certain related details over time. It typically includes information such as:

• Electoral register status: whether you’re listed on the electoral register at your current address (and sometimes previous addresses).
• Credit accounts: details of credit agreements such as credit cards, loans, and other borrowing, including payment history.
• Current account information: information about your current account provider and any overdraft arrangements.
• Personal details: your name, date of birth, and address history.
• Financial links: information about joint accounts or where you share a financial connection with someone else.
• Public records and serious events: items such as County Court Judgments (CCJs), insolvency records, or other relevant markers.
• Fraud-related information: where applicable, markers may appear if identity fraud is suspected or has been recorded.

Your credit report is the underlying data. Your credit score is then calculated from that data.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a numerical summary of your credit report. It’s usually presented as a score on a scale and may be grouped into categories such as very poor, poor, fair, good, or excellent.

Credit scores can differ

There are two common ways you might see a score:

1. Scores produced by credit reference agencies

   • These are calculated using the CRA’s own methodology.
   • They can vary between Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

2. Scores produced by lenders

   • Lenders may use their own scoring models when assessing mortgage applications.
   • You typically won’t see these lender-specific scores directly.

A “good” score doesn’t guarantee approval

Even with a strong credit score, mortgage approval depends on a wider set of factors, including affordability, the property, your deposit, and the lender’s criteria.

When to check your credit report

Checking your credit report regularly is useful, but there are a couple of times when it’s especially important.

• Before applying for a mortgage or other credit

  • Reviewing your report beforehand can help you understand what a lender is likely to see.
  • If you spot errors, you have time to investigate and correct them.

• If you haven’t checked in a while

  • Credit files can change as new data is reported.
  • Regular checks can help you notice unexpected entries or changes.

Soft searches vs hard searches

When you check your own credit, it generally won’t harm your credit file. However, applying for credit can involve searches that may be recorded.

If you’re shopping around for a mortgage, it’s worth understanding how searches are logged and how that may affect your credit file in the short term.

Fraud and your credit history

Identity fraud can have a serious impact on credit files. If fraud is suspected, a fraud marker may appear on your credit report.

A fraud marker doesn’t always mean you’re unable to get a mortgage, but it can make the application process more complex because lenders may need additional checks to confirm your identity and the accuracy of the information.

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud, it’s important to take action promptly—this can include contacting the relevant fraud prevention organisation and the credit reference agencies to investigate what’s been recorded.

Improving your credit score

If your credit report shows issues, there are practical steps you can take to improve what lenders may see.

Common actions include:

• Make sure your details are accurate

  • Check your address history and personal information.
  • Correct errors with the credit reference agencies.

• Stay on top of payments

  • Payment history is a key part of most credit scoring models.

• Manage credit utilisation

  • Where possible, keep credit card balances low relative to your limits.

• Avoid unnecessary new credit applications

  • Multiple applications in a short period can complicate your credit file.

• Check you’re on the electoral register

  • Being registered can support the accuracy and completeness of your credit file.

Some improvements can take effect quickly, while others may take longer depending on what needs to change and how long it takes for updates to appear on your credit file.

What this means for a mortgage application

Credit scores are only one part of the mortgage picture. Lenders typically assess your application using a combination of:

• your credit report information
• affordability and income
• your deposit and the property’s details
• other risk and eligibility factors

That’s why it can be helpful to look at your credit report as a whole—rather than focusing on a single number.

If you’re planning to buy a home, understanding what’s on your credit file before you apply can reduce surprises and give you a clearer view of what you may need to address.