If you’ve been turned down for credit, you can ask the lender the reasons behind their decision. Different lenders use different credit scoring systems and policy rules, so if one lender turns you down, it doesn't mean they all will.

TransUnion can show you the information we hold (what lenders access when running a search on you), but only the lender can give you a definite reason for declining you.

Lenders may use a combination of the following to help them make their decision:

• Information supplied by you when you applied.

• Data supplied by a credit reference agency like TransUnion. This data allows lenders to check if you're on the electoral register at your current address; if you've paid your credit commitments on time; and if you have insolvencies or County Court Judgments.

• Your financial connections — Anyone you’re financially connected to, such as those with whom you have a joint bank account, or taken out a loan or mortgage. When lenders assess your credit history, they may also look at your financial associates’ credit histories, as they may affect your ability to repay money you borrow.

• Information about any existing accounts you already have with the lender

• Their own policies and rules

No. If a company makes a search, a record shows on your report, but it won’t show whether your application was accepted or rejected.

When someone leaves a property, their financial details stay attached to them rather than the address. Someone else can affect your chances of getting credit — but only if you have a financial association with them like a joint bank account or joint mortgage, not because you lived at the same address.

Here are some simple things you can do to improve your credit report:

• Pay your bills and credit agreements on time. Lenders look for evidence you're able to repay existing credit on time. If you forgot a payment one month, you can use a Notice of Correction. These are notes you add to your credit report to explain why you were late with a particular payment.

• Provide accurate, truthful and complete information on your application form. If you leave anything out or don't give the true picture, it could affect your ability to get credit in the future.

• Check your credit report regularly so you can close any accounts of financial products you’re not using, and check you’re registered on the electoral register at your current address.    

No. Credit reference agencies don't hold blacklists relating to people or properties. We only provide lenders with factual information about individuals at the addresses they’ve lived at.

TransUnion will contact you with an outcome, by post or email, within 28 days. We will either send you an email or a letter to confirm the outcome of your dispute. The method of contact will depend on how you raised your dispute:

When you raise a dispute, TransUnion will investigate the data accuracy with the data provider (e.g. lenders, local council, or the courts) and provide you with an outcome within 28 days, in accordance with our obligations under Section 159 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

If you decide to raise a dispute, the process can be broken down into these 3 simple steps:

• You can raise a dispute against your statutory credit report either online, or over email if your credit report request was by post. If you choose to raise a dispute online you will be asked to answer some security questions to verify your identity prior to gaining access to your credit report. If you are unable to pass verification, or you choose not to raise a dispute online, you can raise a dispute by completing a dispute request form.

• TransUnion investigates your concerns with the data provider directly or, if your dispute is against publicly available data, TransUnion will request evidence from you to support your dispute. As a credit reference agency, we are unable to make any amendments to the disputed data without first completing an investigation and where necessary receive authorisation from the organisation who provided the data. In some instances, we will need you to provide evidence to allow us to progress our investigation of your dispute. We will make you aware of any evidence we need from you when you raise the dispute. We will not be able to progress without it.

• TransUnion will contact you with an outcome, by post or email, within 28 days. We will either send you an email or a letter to confirm the outcome of your dispute. The method of contact will depend on how you raised your dispute:

If you use the online portal to raise a dispute, we will email you, or If you email your dispute to TransUnion, we will respond via letter.Here are some examples of potential outcomes:

• No changes made as evidence requested was not received within the 28 day timeframe.

• Data provider advises data is accurate, no changes made.

• Data provider agrees to change incorrect information.

• No response received from data provider within 28 days. If applicable data will be removed or suppressed from view (hidden).

What can I do if the information on my credit report is accurate, but I would like to explain the circumstances behind it?

Where your credit report data is accurate, but you’d like to explain the reason behind an item, you can choose to add wording of your choice to your credit report in the form of a Notice of Correction (NOC).

A NOC is free to apply and has no impact on your credit score. However, the presence of a NOC will slow down any future applications for credit (e.g. credit card, mortgage) as any lender viewing your credit report will be required to manually review your credit report.

When you submit a NOC to be added to your credit report TransUnion will review the wording you provide. The wording must be in line with the NOC Guidelines below. TransUnion may write to you with a suggested alternative wording if the statement does not adhere to the guidelines, which are:

• Must be no longer than 200 words.
• Must be relevant to the information within your credit report.
• Must not be frivolous, defamatory or libellous.
• Cannot name a third party.
• Cannot apportion blame.
• Cannot contain confidential personal information.

If you disagree with TransUnion’s alternative wording, we can appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office for final say on the wording before adding it to your credit report.

To add a NOC to your credit report please email your chosen wording to: [email protected].

Or alternatively, you can write to us at:

TransUnion Consumer Services Team
PO Box 647
Unit 4
HULL
HU9 9QZ

Please be aware that any NOCs which are added to your TransUnion credit report will not be shared with other Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs). You should therefore also contact the other CRAs to add a Notice of Correction in their versions of your credit report to the data item you want explaining.

You can contact the other two CRAs using the links:

Experian
Equifax