USAGypsies

More information.... http://www.britishinformation.com/secured-credit-card/

northernbird

Get yourself on the electoral roll somewhere as soon as you get back, even if it is a relatives address. This is one of the key things that is on your credit file, no electoral roll, no credit.

Nu-Shooz

Very very true. Since we have been back we have 0 credit rating. We applied on-line to see for ourselves and the score was 'high risk' lol...even though we were excellent payers in both UK and OZ. Makes you sick really, but that's just the way it is if you spend along time away.
Anyway, we have applied to be on the electoral roll, applied for credit cards which have been accepted.
So i will spend as much as i can on the cards and pay them off straight away, building up the credit rating.
I have also had to pay 6 months up front plus deposit for our rental as we had no credit rating, but that was fine with us as we preferred to do that.
We can't get finance at the mo for vehicles (i can pay cash if i want) but would prefer to keep my cash for a bigger deposit on a house.
We will get there in the end!

Bsidebaby

Use this link to register on your local electoral roll:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....html?t=758777

Chorlton

Does a UK bank account, savings account and (rarely used) credit card count towards a credit rating while you're away? Or does it only start with the electoral roll?

Jerseygirl

I think so. I kept my UK bank account and CC card after moving to the US in '96. I recently applied to M&S for a CC and was accepted. I have had no problem getting connected with gas and electricity. Although I haven't applied for any loans or credit...I don't know if this was what you were wanting.

Chorlton

Yes, thanks. Thats what I hoped/expected

Jerseygirl

The key is to have an address. I had just bought a house when I applied for a new CC. I had to provide a letter from my solicitor showing that I had purchased the property.

northernbird

However in my experience of moving back and renting, I couldn't even get a 15 quid a month mobile phone until I was on the electoral roll.

Jerseygirl

Did you keep your UK bank account and CC open while you lived in Oz?

northernbird

Yes, it was when we returned from Canada and we had used the account in the 4 years we were there for endowments and pensions etc. We were turned down for everything until we got on the electoral roll. This was 4 years ago now but I can't imagine they have got any more lenient, in fact I envisage that the checks would be more stringent now given the global financial crisis.

Jerseygirl

Maybe it was because I am a home owner not a renter...I don't know...but I haven't had a problem.

northernbird

I would imagine that is the reason.

aasmith1957

just had a look at the link for registering on electoral roll for uk.seeing as we have been in oz for 17 years we cant register to vote as it is 15 years that is the cut off point.:curse:been informed that as soon as we arrive, we should register and will be on it within a month.asked about being able to get phone/internet?electric put on and she said that they would give us a letter to prove we were on register.f@#k what a bloody carry on.hubby should have thought of going back sooner me thinks!!!

Nu-Shooz

It is a carry on. Pain in the hole.
I rang the local council, filled a form in and we were added to the electoral roll.
As for mobile phones, we couldn't get one on contract until we had prove of address and utility bills. Then we had to pay £300 extra as we had no credit rating. All pay out, nightmare.