A puzzled ClearScore user asked: My credit score has gone up but my affordability has gone down... not sure why sometimes I think these credit score companies just do what they want lol. Her credit score had increased by 57 to 573, but at the same time, her affordability score had fallen by 15 to 64. These weren't tiny changes... ClearScore affordability scores are out of 100, so a 15 point … [Read more...]
A reader asks ...
Readers have asked a huge variety of questions in the comments below Debt Camel articles or on Instagram. From credit ratings and mortgages to payday loan refunds and IVAs...
Some of them needed such long replies that I have turned them into the articles that are gathered here.
“How can I get a complete list of my debts”
A reader asked: For 10 years now I've been racking up debt and then burying my head in the sand. I have had letters upon letters from debt collectors, I just bin them all. I'm sure I've had a few CCJs as well. I haven't had any new credit or anything for three years. I now have a new job and more disposable income - not a lot, but better than benefits! Is there anywhere I can look to see … [Read more...]
Can I get a mortgage with recent defaults?
A reader, Mr D, asked: My partner and I have a combined income of £56,000, We have a deposit of £28,000 (inheritance) and are looking to become first time buyers at a price of £230,000. We have defaulted debts that are being paid off, and previous history of payday loans from over 2 years ago from a time when our financial situation was much more difficult. The defaults are about 18 months … [Read more...]
“Will Experian Boost help my credit score?”
A reader asked if she should sign up to Experian's Boost. Are any disadvantages? Would it really help her credit score? Experian's new Boost facility was introduced in the UK in November 2020: it can increase your Experian Credit Score by a maximum of 101 points; it is set up so it can never harm your credit score. Hundreds of thousands of people have used it. Let's see how it … [Read more...]
“I’m using my credit card. But my report says I’m not!”
Mr M asked: I am trying to build my credit score but feel I am getting nowhere. I had 2 accounts in default which I paid about 1 year ago. My bills are paid on time. I have a Capital One credit card with a £200 limit. I always get £50 worth of petrol on the last Friday of every month and pay it manually a few days later. But I got an email from Credit Karma saying "When your last report came … [Read more...]
Overtime, bonuses & pay rises – what happens in an IVA
A reader asked about a friend who is looking at an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): Mr X is 23 and owes just over 10k on various credit cards and loans. He earns £20k and hopes to get a £10k bonus this year. The IVA firm says the bonus doesn’t matter as it's not guaranteed. But won't the IVA take half of it? Would it be better if he got a job with a larger basic salary and no bonus, or … [Read more...]
Save a house deposit or pay off debt?
A reader asked: "A friend said not to pay my defaulted debts off but save money towards a deposit for a mortgage - is this a good idea?" It's often unwise to rely on friends for debt advice... They may be guessing, their situation may have been quite different from yours, or they may be assuming what happened to them years ago is still useful today. And in this case, the friend may know … [Read more...]
“Improving my credit score – be added to my partner’s card?”
A reader asked: I have fairly recently got an Aqua card with a limit of £1,900. Credit Karma suggests this is low and a higher limit (with low utilisation) reflects well with lenders. I’ve only just had a credit limit with Aqua so can't get another one soon. But I could be added as a secondary cardholder on my partner’s credit card. This is her idea – she has a limit of almost £10k. She never … [Read more...]
I’m in a DMP – can I get a mortgage?
A reader asked about applying for a mortgage when she is in a Debt Management Plan (DMP): "I have been in a DMP for 8 years and still have 6 to go as I still owe £16,000. With hindsight, I should have gone bankrupt! My parents will give us a 20% deposit in 2021, but they don't know about my debts so I can't use their money to end the DMP. Will I be able to get a mortgage?" I've written before … [Read more...]
Will you get a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO)? Does it matter?
Here are some recent questions from people worried about going bankrupt and possible Bankruptcy Restriction Orders (BROs): I gambled a lot but stopped over a year ago. I want to apply for bankruptcy, but will I get a bankruptcy restrictions order? I have credit card debts which I can't pay as I have had to stop work because of a disability. I went bankrupt in 2003 and had a DRO in 2015. Will I … [Read more...]