What is a Statutory Credit Report?
If you live in the UK, you likely understand the importance of having a good credit score. A credit score helps lenders evaluate an individual’s creditworthiness when determining whether or not to approve a loan or other financial product. It can also impact the interest rate and other lending terms offered.
To help consumers understand their credit score, credit reference agencies in the UK offer statutory credit reports. Statutory credit reports are formed from the credit reference agency’s database to provide an individual with a snapshot of their credit profile and any related public records at the time the report was requested.
There differences between the statutory credit report and a ‘normal’ credit report is that a statutory credit report is a right granted to all under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, it’s normally just a basic report and does not include a credit score or other educational material. A statutory credit report is a one off report that you can either get online or as a hard copy.
What’s in a statutory credit report?
Like a normal credit report the statutory credit report contains information such as an individual’s name and address, date of birth, account history, and any missed or late payments. Additionally, the report includes records of bankruptcies, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), court judgements, and any financial associations with a joint applicant. Statutory credit reports also provide contact information associated with one’s credit report, such as utility and telecom providers, banks, credit card and loan companies, and even landlords.
How to get your statutory credit report
Although statutory credit reports are widely accessible, they are only available from the credit reference agencies who collect the data.
To obtain a copy of your statutory credit report, head over to one of the three credit reference agency websites (we’ve added the relevant links below) and follow the instructions to apply for your report.
In order to obtain a statutory credit report, individuals must provide accurate information, such as their name, address, and date of birth. By providing this information, the credit reference agency can then match them to their individual credit profile.
What to do once you have your report?
Knowing how to read your credit report is key to understanding your credit score. The report will list your credit history, loan amounts and terms, and account payment status. Other important information that is provided are the public records associated with your credit profile, including bankruptcies and unpaid court judgements.
Statutory credit reports are incredibly helpful for managing and maintaining a good credit score. They provide valuable information regarding an individual’s creditworthiness, payment activity, and any concerning public records. Therefore, it’s important to understand your statutory credit reports and what is listed on them.