Credit score, debt and arrears
Build UK credit and talk to lenders when money runs short.
They said no because I've got no credit history in the UK.
Computer voice · not a real clip
Start practising
About 4 min Free, no account
All 15 phrases
Building UK credit6
- I've got no credit history in the UKExplains why you've been refused.
- Is that a soft search or a hard search?Lenders can't see a soft search.
- Can I see my credit file?You can see your file free from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
- Am I eligible to go on the electoral roll?Being on the electoral register helps lenders confirm your address.
- I'm thinking of getting a credit builder cardA card with a low limit and high interest, meant for building a credit history.
- Does buy now pay later affect my credit?Klarna, Clearpay and similar can show on your credit file, and missed payments count against you.
Falling behind6
- I'm in my overdraftYour current account has gone below zero.
- I'm in arrears with my council tax'In arrears' means you've missed payments and owe money.
- Can we set up a payment plan?Ask to pay back what you owe in instalments you can afford.
- I can only afford £40 a monthGive a figure based on a budget (an 'income and expenditure' sheet).
- Which of these are priority debts?Rent or mortgage, council tax, energy, court fines and child maintenance come first, because missing them can mean losing your home, bailiffs or court.
- Is this a debt collector or an enforcement agent?Debt collectors have no special powers.
Getting help3
- I'd like to apply for Breathing SpaceA government debt respite scheme in England and Wales.
- I need free debt adviceStepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice are free.
- Could you refer me to a food bank?Many food banks need a referral or voucher from Citizens Advice, a GP, a school or the council.
Check yourself15 questions
Question 1 of 15
Does your credit history from abroad follow you?
More packs
- Banks, cards and payingPay at the till, open a bank account and spot scams.
- How Brits say how they feelEveryday words for tired, happy, fed up and ill.
- Office small talkThe kitchen and lift chat you'll have every working day.
About this pack
- Price
- Free
- Account
- Not needed, saved on this device
- Reviews
- 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days later
- Moments
- 0 of 15 phrases have a clip
- Sources
Picked by Talk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Phrases
- Picked by Talk.
- How Talk picked them
- Part of Talk's themed British life packs. Talk wrote each phrase with what it really means, when to say it, what not to say instead and one quiz question. A phrase gets a moment only if Talk's spoken videos say it with the same meaning. One review picked each moment, and a second tried to reject it. This pack holds 15 phrases.
- Licence
- Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Meanings and examples
- Written by Talk in plain English.
- Dictionary details
- From Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Princeton WordNet, used under the WordNet licence. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Start practising
About 4 min Free, no account