Immigrating to the UK

[Sinbad]

Is it possible to list a family’s place as my physical address (if they give us permission etc) ?

Or do I really need to be in the county?

What do you want to list your address against? It's done by means of bank accounts etc. So you'd need to open an account against their address. You could do that I guess?

 

[Messugga]

Does the address have to be somewhere I am renting or can I use a family address?

Credit providers specifically ask the address where you are living. You can list any address you want, but you'll be lying if you listed a UK address and you weren't resident in the UK. Use your judgement as to whether you're willing to do that.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Even if you could, I don’t see it doing much to your credit score. It’s a slow committed process of working at getting your score up through actual transactions from my limited experience.
Don’t come here with your S.African tendencies, that’s a joke but also kind of not.

 

[The Voice]

Does the address have to be somewhere I am renting or can I use a family address?

There are no physical checks to see if you’re actually in the UK. Not like SA where you need to go in somewhere and show your ID book, etc.

 

[The Voice]

Even if you could, I don’t see it doing much to your credit score. It’s a slow committed process of working at getting your score up through actual transactions from my limited experience.
Don’t come here with your S.African tendencies, that’s a joke but also kind of not.

Pretty much this. Just opening something like a bank account isn’t going to affect much. Even registering on the voter’s roll only really affects your score after 18 months.

 

[Sinbad]

Pretty much this. Just opening something like a bank account isn’t going to affect much. Even registering on the voter’s roll only really affects your score after 18 months.

Indeed - but it is used as identity verification by the credit agencies

 

[Priapus]

Alright thanks gents, useful information.

 

[2026]

Pretty much this. Just opening something like a bank account isn’t going to affect much. Even registering on the voter’s roll only really affects your score after 18 months.

I should be put on the voters roll next week or so. According to the prediction I should get a whole 6 points. But that puts me from "needs some work" into "OK." status hopefully.

It does feel like services used to increase credit rating are bit predatory in the additional costs around it.

 

[The Voice]

REMEMBER: when signing up for the voter’s roll, do NOT add yourself to the open register. It puts all your details on the open market for any 3rd party to contact you. Not being on the open register does NOT affect your credit scoring.

 

[Messugga]

I should be put on the voters roll next week or so. According to the prediction I should get a whole 6 points. But that puts me from "needs some work" into "OK." status hopefully.

It does feel like services used to increase credit rating are bit predatory in the additional costs around it.

Well you don't need to pay anything, really. Experian has a free option and Credit Karma is also free.
Anyway, get yourself a credit builder credit card or similar, give it six months and you'll be well on your way.
I've been in the country for about 19 months now and have now leased a car, have a phone contract, etc. Mortgage is up next.

 

[Sinbad]

Lol

 

[The Voice]

Lol

Wow.

 

[Dave]

Lol

These hedge fund managers...

That'll pay for your Friday lunch on Canary Wharf, won't it?

 

[Sinbad]

These hedge fund managers...

That'll pay for your Friday lunch on Canary Wharf, won't it?

Not at the current rate of inflation no

 

[Dave]

Not at the current rate of inflation no

Saving the pennies for when @Hamish McPanji comes to stay with you?

 

[2026]

Does it matter where you get the cellphone contract from for credit rating?

 

[The Voice]

Does it matter where you get the cellphone contract from for credit rating?

Nope.

 

[Dave]

Does it matter where you get the cellphone contract from for credit rating?

Though as an fyi, it's easier to get a sim only contract first and then upgrade to a handset contract after 3-6 months of use, so bring your current phone with you.

ID Mobile has one of the easier credit checks for sim only.

 

[Boogalum]

I've just arrived in the UK and am looking to sign up with Octopus. If I can give the £50 referral bonus to someone here (instead of from some random website) I'd be happy to. So anyone using Octopus, please send me your referral link if you'd like me to use it. Thanks

 

[Sinbad]

I've just arrived in the UK and am looking to sign up with Octopus. If I can give the £50 referral bonus to someone here (instead of from some random website) I'd be happy to. So anyone using Octopus, please send me your referral link if you'd like me to use it. Thanks

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