If you are having trouble getting credit, it could be that you have a bad credit rating. The easiest way to find out what the problem is, is to get in contact with either of the two main credit reference companies in the UK. You can email them or fill in an online registration form and for a fee of two pounds they will send you a copy of your credit files.

Repayment default and CCJ will remain on your credit report and as such effect your credit rating and ability to borrow for six years, even if these have since been settled. This is why during the six years after any default you may be turned down for credit.

If you are having trouble getting credit and don't know of a reason it is worth checking out the information held about you. Should your history contain any erroneous information, you should send a ?statement of correction? to the agency ? and also investigate the other agencies. All lenders forthwith will see your statement and may take this into consideration when considering you for credit.

There are several factors a lender looks at when deciding whether to give you credit or not. These include age, income, and your current debt obligations.

Lenders can also look at family history ? for example, it is important if you are estranged from any family members to ask the credit agencies for separate files, so other people's history does not affect your status.

The most important part of your credit record in the lenders eyes is your credit history ? i.e. how many payment you have made on time or rather missed over the last six years. This account for around 35% of your personal rating.

One of the best ways to ensure an improved credit rating is actually to borrow more ? as long as you demonstrate that you are able to pay your debt off quickly, the better your rating will become over time.

You might think that closing old bank or credit card accounts with no outstanding payments will simplify your life ? however, doing so actively shuts the door on that credit knowledge. In other words, your credit file will not acknowledge cards paid off in full if you close the account.

While interest rate may be considerably higher, in the event that your are unable to get a loan from one of the mainstream lenders, there are other reputable lenders on the market that will still provide your with credit, which can it turn help you to demonstrate that your are able to fulfil your obligations in the long term.