Improve Your Credit Score
How to Improve Your Credit Score Before a Mortgage
A few simple changes can make a real difference to how lenders see you. Some take minutes, others a few months. Here are the steps that help most before you apply for a mortgage.
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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
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What Our Clients Say
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Mortgage Customer
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Mortgage Customer
Quick Wins
Some Fixes Take Minutes
Not everything needs months of waiting. Start with these.
- ✓Electoral roll: register at your current address
- ✓Errors: dispute anything wrong on your file
- ✓Old links: remove financial links to ex-partners
- ✓Card balances: bring them down below your limits
How We Help
Your Credit Plan
Five steps to a stronger file.
Register to Vote
It helps lenders confirm your identity and address.
Check All Three Files
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Lower Your Balances
Using less of your limits helps.
Set Up Direct Debits
So nothing is ever paid late.
Avoid New Credit
Hold off applying for anything else before your mortgage.
Things That Help
What Lenders Like to See
Steady and predictable wins.
Common Questions
Credit Improvement Questions, Answered
The things people ask us most.
How fast can I improve my credit score?
Some changes show within a month or two. Bigger issues take longer.
Does paying off a credit card help?
Lower balances usually help, especially if you are near your limit.
Should I close old credit cards?
Not always. Older accounts can help your history. Ask us first.
Does the electoral roll matter?
Yes, it helps lenders confirm who you are.
Will a credit builder card help?
It can, if used lightly and paid on time.
Can I get a mortgage while improving my credit?
Sometimes. We can check whether to apply now or wait.
Related guides
- Understanding your credit score
- Bad credit mortgages Scotland
- Being mortgage ready
- What affects mortgage approval
- All mortgage questions answered
Written by Tony Flynn, mortgage broker at Tony Flynn Mortgages, helping homebuyers across Lanarkshire and Scotland. This page is general information, not personal advice. Speak to Tony about your own circumstances.
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Want a Plan for Your Credit?
Fill in the form and we will be in touch within one working day. We will look at your file and tell you what to fix first.