This question is commonly asked by those who are interested in applying for bad credit loans, and it isn’t too difficult to understand why. After all, if you wish to take out a loan, you will want to do everything possible to maximise your chances of your application to a lender being approved… but such success will be less likely if your credit score is currently poor.
So, let’s share the “bad news” with you first; it isn’t an overnight job to improve your credit score. What’s more, the exact amount of time it will take for you to get your credit score to a certain level, will depend on such factors as what your credit score is now, and what you’re doing to help improve it.
We can’t, then, promise that your credit score will definitely be at a good level if you carry out certain actions within a certain timeframe. As an approximate figure, you should expect it to take between a few months and a few years to greatly drive up your credit score.
Remember: your credit score isn’t merely a short-term look at your financial history
To understand why building up your credit score to a significant degree isn’t a quick job, it is worth reminding yourself why credit scores exist in the first place.
When you apply for a loan from an authorised and reputable lender in the UK, they will look at your credit report for evidence of how responsible you have been in the past when managing borrowed money.
So, simply keeping on top of your payments for two or three months won’t necessarily do a great amount to improve your credit score and convince loan companies to lend you money, if your longer-term financial history isn’t so pretty.
But on the other hand, if you do have a demonstrated history of handling credit well for many months and even years, this will go a long way to reassuring prospective lenders, and will help keep your credit score ticking higher over time.
It's important to consider your ability to repay before applying for credit, as failing to make repayments on time can seriously affect your credit score and ability to obtain credit in the future. Borrowing should be considered carefully, and choices made to support your overall financial health.
So, what actions can I take to help strengthen my credit score quickly?
Hopefully, this article will have impressed upon you that there is no “get rich quick” route to transforming your credit score overnight.
Still, there are some useful steps you can take, and which could be instrumental in getting your credit score higher, sooner than you might expect. These steps include paying off as much of your existing debt as you can, disputing any errors that appear on your credit report, and putting a halt to any behaviour that might have held down your credit score in the past, such as missing vital payments or allowing yourself to slip into an unarranged overdraft.
It is also worth remembering that your credit score doesn’t necessarily need to be immaculate in order for you to be granted a loan. In our capacity as a credit broker here at CashCompare, we work alongside multiple lenders that have an excellent track record of providing bad-credit loans to those who may have been turned down by other companies.
If you're unsure about the best steps for improving your credit or the most suitable loan options for your situation, consider seeking independent financial advice. Professional advice can provide personalized insights and help you make informed decisions.
To begin to discover what the possibilities could be for you, why not spend just a few minutes filling in and submitting our no-obligation quote request form? This would enable you to get a sense of what some of the UK’s leading providers of bad-credit loans might be able to offer you, so that you can consider whether any of their loans might represent the best solution for your needs.
CashCompare acts as a credit broker, not a lender. We are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), dedicated to helping you find the most suitable loan option for your needs.
"Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. Always consider if borrowing is the right option for you and ensure you can repay your loan." For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk.